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NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED BY OSBORN & BUCKINGHAM, 

No. 8 William-street. 



MDCCCXXXV. 



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y^J 7 y. 



Bramatis ^personae- 



Count Adelbert. 

Baron Sigismund. 

Emperor Henry the Fourth. 

Duke of Bohemia. 

Duke of Saxony. 

Duke of Bavaria. 

Marquis of Austria. 

Archbishops of Mentz, Worms and Cologne. 

Bishop of Constance, Pope's Legate. 

Henry, Son of the Emperor, aftericard Henry the Fifth. 

Anselm — Hugo, his Attendants. 

Rhodehi.ck, Attendant of the Emperor. 

Arnold, a Cottager. 

Bertha, his Daughter — Frederick and a Boy, his Sons. 

Leopold. 

Baroness Sigismund. 

Adela, her Daughter. 

A Saxon and his Son. 

RoDOLPH, St ewai-d of Sigismund. 

Count Godfrey, Brother of Adelbert. 

Ermengarde, a General. 

Rhist, Porter of Sigismimd. 

Guelf, Attendant of Sigismund. 

Wolff and Gaspard, Stewards of Godfrey. 



Officers, Attendants, Lords, Soldiers, Procession of Personages, 
d^'C. (^'c. (^'c. 



HENRY IV. OF GERMANY. 



AC T I. 

SCENE I.— Palace at Mentz. 



Enter Count Adelbert— Baron Sigismund, 

Adelbert. Confess, he treads on autumn's further verge. 

Sigisviund. 'Tis not apparent; nature's fires in him 
Have vigorous life, and still his s2Dirit boasts 
The furnishings and temper of that j^outh 
Which Othobold o'erthrew, in Hohnburg's strife. 

Adelbert. His sinew 'd days are by : infirmities 
Their courier, age o'ertake. 

Sigis7nu7id. I know it not. 

Waxed as he is in winters, (two fold thine,) 
His corp'ral power would not unto thy own 
Prostrate, Count Adelbert, 

Adelbert. Thy love, time-fixed 

And vision-worn, discerns not, Sigismund, 
Life's summit past, his urgent cadency 
Determined to its base. All we, his friends, 
In careless watch assieging his deport, 
Obtain the note of stealing crepitude 
And frame's defect. Nor only this : his mind 
Fast loses competence ; his sense neglects ; 
And reason's rivetings are sprung ; that which 
Thine eyes, affection-hindered, will not know, 
As thus — how bends to puerility 
The judgment nature swerved, — is amply thrust 
On our observance. Doubt it not, my friend ; 
Capacity is withered. It is fear'd, 
1* 



6 HENRY IV. OF GERMANYf 

(And fearful 'tis,) his weakness unconfessed, 
Lest in some passions play, he shakes the health 
And soundness of the empire. 

Sigismund. Adelbert — 

Some bait, I'll pierce it with a similar. — 
This granted. 

Adelbert. Then ensues ; empower'd age ..: 

Offends obedience ; manhood, pride, respect. 
Revolt from shallow guiding, to instate 
A head in intellect unsapped and flush. 

Sigismund. A frequent truth. 

Adelbert. And is it not a wise '? 

Who to inferior judgment would inclined 
Besm'e, it was no jaundiced prejudice 
Discovered this in-eating reason's I'ust. 
To capture the ingrateful certitude 
I was not foremost ; fealty repell'd 
And obstacled this truth-invading ti-uth. 
At length — but question any where, my lord; 
Few so time-careless as not comprehend 
The general grief, and know its medicine. 

Sigismund. Indeed 1 I little recked the common sense 
So felt their disadvantage in this rule, 

Adelbert. The universal syllable. And now — 
If you have lent the prince a frequent eye. 
Its acquest must have treasuried your thought 
With his endowments ; grace with valor pair'd, 
A lavish court'sy braced with skill profound, 
To match audacious peril. These the rest 
Initiate, and this to close, — rest sure, 
Ere his prov'd friends, he rather will forsake 
His best of hopes, his cherished interests, 
Ay, honor-bred ambition. 

Sigismund. Gods! is tins'? 

Insinuous and detested treachery. 
Thou art apparent Iiere. How false, how rank, 
The soul to disenthrone his sanctioned lord 
In age, to swim the tides of fate unbuoyed ! — 
Suppose a subtle, self-disguising Moor 
Shoixld of your confidence the portals gain. 
And then, by stealthy drops, pour argument 



A TRAGEDY. 7 

To tempt your Christhood, and persuade a league 
With desp'rate credence 

Adelberl. Were this fiction truth, 

His pagan throat I'd grasp, and instant choke 
The stream of pois'nous breath and founts of life. 

Sigismund. Thou art no other than that trait'rous slave, 
A recreant to allegiant altar-oaths, 
A base deseiter, — 

Adelbcrt. Liar ! Cease or die. 

Enter Emperor, Dukes of Bohemia, Saxony and Bavaria, 

Marquis of Austria, and Archbishop of Mentz. 
. Emperor. Haply in presence, lord's : we feared your loss 
In direct council. — Leisure with consent 
Advise to hear this nuncio from the pope. 
What motions us against it ? 

Bavaria. Naught, my lord. 

Question and answer let him have at once. 

Emperor. How answei-ed? — Sigismund, we are in rest 
For his approach: warn Constance. — [Exit Sigismvsd. 

Bavaria. How 7 as ever ; 

If 'twas, is right denial. 

Emperor. Spleenful pope ! 

This constant broaching of repugnant claims 

Is odious. — Adelbert, that brow becomes 

Nor thee, nor our respect. — Investitures, 

Pernicious word ! — Bohemia, these winds 

Blow drearly-keen from your black forests. — Peace ! 

The legate. 

Enter Bishop op Constance. 

Constance. From my puissant master, Henry, 
Holy salutes and mine own humbler. 

Emptror. Thanks ; — 

Age seems to touch thee with no angry hand ; 
When saw we thee % 

Constance. Five gathered harvests since. 

Emperor. And still the same — Well, bishop, high in grace, 
What sends us Paschal % 

Constance.. These, O King. 

BoJiemia. How'? King! 



8 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Emperor. Peace, good my lord 

Constance. Tis known, — for who indeed 

Lives senseless to this knowledge 1 — how the rights 
Of holy church her servitors to clothe 
With robes of tutelage in all God's house 
Throughout your confines, impiovisly is snatched, 
And long hath been by foulness' force usui-ped. 
Though the superior pope, have riv'n your fame 
With bills of outlawry, and diction dread, 
Still title's worst reproach exists your name ; 
Your heav'n-doom'd sins still issue, and the world 
Levels its horror here. O, Henry, prince, 
Guiltiest of all, redeem your blotted name ; 
The opening narrows that prevents your close; 
Haste, deprecate the strides of missioned wrath. 
Yield us those rights your traffic construes wrongs. 
These uttereththe pope, my gracious lord. 

Emjjeror. Constance, our patience sorely is chastised 
By dues of calm reply. What ! shall our heirdom. 
Our maintenant estate, be put in quest 
Ourselves threat-struck, by claims remote from laAV, 
And simply be denied '? Let him as well 
Our household seek to steward with his slaves, 
As this inherent crown-pecvdiar sway. 
The kingdom's proper drapeiy are these 
So arrogantly waged prerogatives. 
What then '? 

Conceives the priest that, motion'd by respect, 
We'll strip us of this raiment ? What i-egard 
Attribute we the pope 1 Who was 't enthroned 
The Suabian Rodolph lawless in our front 1 
Who robb'd us of our offspring '? Who seduced 
Dear Conrad from his virtvxe and his sire 1 
— That stroke my heart half-wither'd. Rest in peace, 
Misguided child ! for I another have — 
A world of solace to me. — Who with these 
Grief generating wounds, poisoned our peace *? 
Was 't Urban 1 

Constance. Ay, and righteous Gregory. 

Emperor. And righteous Gregory, i-espectless priest ! 
Hark ! When our embassy was visitant 



A TRAGEDY. 9 

In Gregory's palace, superb Vatican, 

'Twas he who, ruffian-like, plucked out their eyes, 

And bade them with this tale to find their home. 

Beware ! tiiie, we can only be ourself: 

But thou art warned ; depart. 

Constance. Not this weak rage, 

But your pride's fall respecting, I take leave. 

Emperor. Stay, bishop ; yet unsuited is thy speech. 
The prince — good marquis, bear our search to him. 

[Exit Austria. 
— Is this the world's philosophy % — to grant 
A lease unfinished to disunion's breach, 
Its fretful train of bickerings, ill blood 
And at the close, tumviltuous, wasteful war 
To vantage death — for what? th' assault of right, 
An innocent request 'twixt vis whose choice 
Shall serve God in the temples of our state ! 
'Tis something more than this ; false precedent 
Hath ten-fold worse success. Behold, the prince. 

Enter Prince Henry and MARauis of Austria. 

Prince. Wherefore am I invited here, my lord '? 

Emperor. Somewhat apart. — The priest again hath moved 
Those vision-built requirements of the pope. 

Prince. Concerning the due answer can you pause 7 

Emperor. I would possess your voice. Think you, more loss 
Our honor will sustain, ceding these rights 
Or paying future blood to hold them ours 1 

Pririce. Give up our privilege in the prelacies ! 
I'd rather with my rank invest some slave 
Entitling liim to that exalted grade 
Wherewith your tendered hopes expectance feed. 
You cannot think of it. — 'twould clip the worth 
And richness of the crown, and I shotxld reach 
A plaything for a kingdom. Good, my lord, 
The many foreigners, graced with our best, 
May execute our numerous other loss. 

Emperor. Less heat : with the like judgment we are borne. 

Prince. From the disuse of counsel on this theme 
Sprang fear of some changed policy herein. 

Emperor. But note the smothered courtesy of this priest. 



10 HENRY IV. OF GERJIANY; 

Adelbert. We'll meet before depart. 

Constance. Assuredly — 

Emperor. Give us one moment. — Greet from us the pope, 
And in the car of memory these convey. 
His hollow claims deserve not our regard ; 
Of them, no more; what follows, is of note. 
Henry, and all the others present, hear ; 
Th' address demands reception from your sense. 
Through fifty years of storm we have sustained 
This crown of Germany. The world confess 
A many wrongful stroke and grievous gash 
Our course of life hath ta'en ; and we must think, 
Reflection errs not crying more our life 
Than commonly, with urgent burdens charged. 
Be this, or not : we yearn to doff their cares ; 
Our thoughts are purposed, full determinate 
To live beside our state, whereon we mean 
To fix young Henry. In his balanced mind 
No bias weighs the reason, and he stands 
Without the pale of that embitter'd hate 
Which papacy hath ever blown on us. 
So, it is hopeful, when he sways the realm 
Contention will entomb her means of strife. 

Prince. Thanks for this gi-ace conferred. But, noble sire, 
My inexperienced art will scantly fill 
The rank of thine time- versed and disciplin'd. 

Constance. What time will slip from meditation, ere 
These things are so 1 

Emperor. Precaution needs one year 

To make this transfer of our empeiy . 
Our wish is termin'd for your more delay. 

Constance. Then I embrace departure. Sov'reign Henry, 
And royal-gentle prince, and lord — Farewell. [Exit. 

Emperor. Farewell. 

Prince. My lord, is it proper I detain 

This priest from courtly converse, till he frees 
Our palace of his stay 1 

Emperor. Advised well. [Exit Prince. 

Bohemia. My lord, — 

Emperor. What would Bohemia with us 1 

Bohemia. Your breathed intent did startle, till the term 



A TRAGEDY. H 

Of your resolve rejecting it one year, 
Assure you, honor'd lord, refreshed my mind. 

Emperor. Is it from courtesy this speech of thine'? or based 
On sober judgment 1 

Bohemia. This; which is confirmed 

By the attested general sentiment, 
Of your finn-founded knowledge in true rule. 

Saxony. My thought is similar with Bohemia's ; 
Who least obedience love, approve your sway. 
It is confessed, the prince honors his age ; 
Yet 

Emperor. Thanks, good duke — What is it, Adelbert, 
Seems to desire impartment from your lips'? 

Adelbert. I crave a private moment. 

Emperor. Well, commence. 

[Adelbert 'whispers Emperor. 

Austria. Are you of interests so slightful, lords, 
As praise his empty age, applauding that 
Which turns to profit his most wise design 1 

Bavaria. You mean this year wherewith he checks'? 

Austria. I do. 

Pi'ofit lives not in gracing him entlu'oned ; 
Who climbs, bestows. Lend your adherences 
To the ambitious prince. His rate is best. 

Bohemia. But longing does not show so keen in him. 

Saxony. On all occasions duteous. 

Austria. Think you so'? 

None know the course affections take in him. 
Look deeper than appearance. 

Emperor. Rhoderick ! 

Give order for the hunt, — Who will attend. 
Let them make ready. 

[Exeunt save Emperor tf7ii Adelbert. 
Lukewarm ! Sigismund ! 

Adelbert. Even so and worse ; I fear not proof's defect 
To bare in him most foul disloyalty. 

Emperor. Ha! Sigismund! 

Adelbert. So far, will evidence. 

My injured sovereign, I do dread the work 
His hatred meditates ; for that harangue 
Wherewith he sought to tempt my loyalty, 



12 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Was shadow'd darkly. Do not trust my doubts 
Till you own other surety ; but for me, 
I know he is your enemy. 

Emperor. But, Count, 

Remember what he spoke; give me his words. 

Adelbert. The cost were little to administer 
To his help-lending age, a powerful drug, — 
And in this strain he followed. 

Emperor. Ho ! My guards — 

Now prove these things to sense, or dread my wrath. 

Adelbert. Mine honor is my voucher, ne'er till now 
Disgraced by any doubt. If you require 
More means to plant convincement in your mind, 
A scrutinizing eye may haply purge 
Its scrupulous state, and shield your royal self. 
Commune upon this topic with the prince, 
Who hath an ill surmise of Sigismund. 

Emperor. He was not in the council. 

Adelbert. No, my lord. 

Emperor. Get thee away ; afflict no more our sight 
Till morrow dawns, when bring us evidence 
Of guilt in Sigismund : default of which, 
Count Adelbert were better born a slave. [Exit Emperor. 

Adelbert. Auspiciously begun : to render vain 
The hold I've given, I needs must blast his fame, 
Cherished o'er life. 'Tis bold, and being in. 
My only hope is onward. To infect 
Most instantly his good repute in court 
Is easy ; and false doubts, once sown in men, 
Do breed prolific. Soil most fit for weeds. [Exit Adelbert. 



SCENE 11.—^ Chavibcr in the same. 

Prince, {alone.) 
Twelve weary moons ; who knows if even then 1 
In my life's prime a dull entrammell'd age 
Of mere survivance on a distant gleam ! 
This chilly beckons one ambition-spurred. 
If he can thus dilate, why not stretch out 



A TRAGEDY. 13 

The hopeless temn till death defines its bound 1 
Prospects do urge the question ; of our sense 
The twilight still precedes extinguished life. 
Dark thoughts do noisily assault my brain, 
While inmate cai-es, repugnant to this space, 
Sing pray'rs for their admittance. "Wrong old man ! 
Thus with unslacking tenvire, keeping throne. 
If force were capable 1 Much he deserves, 
But whether this my mind somewhat misgives. 
'Tis w^orth — the legate. 

Entei- Constance. 
Constance. Noble prince, divide 

A passing hour, in interchange of thought 
With one who loves you well. 

Prince. Most cheerfully. 

Constance. I crave it rather as my holy liege 
Bade me to you impart, with friendly breath, 
What spacious lodging in his breast possess'd 
The sense of your proud mastery and desei'ts. 

Prince. I thank him for his love, which is avowed 
In decking this my worth. 

Constance. Oftimes, my lord, 

Kis grace, encircled by the cardinals. 
Breaks forth into a fit of sounded thought. 
He muses that the father should affy 
To such a nature's vicious wcnderwoi'k 
As he in Germany, misruler now, 
A son, so rare and generous in frame. 
And then awhile he thoughtful-mute will pause ; 
Anon exclaim, when goodness neighbor'd evil, 
It should disable this. He pitied much 
Your worth should be self slighted. 

Prince. In what view ? 

Constance. This : that yovi sink God's duty in your sire's. 

Prince. Consent they not 1 

Co7istance. In no regard, my lord, 

Features exist not more opposed. The first 
Demands a reverent aspect for the pope ; 
To whom your father sore enbosoms hate. 

Prince. Paschal speaks thus 1 
2 



14 HENRY IV. OF GERMANYj 

Constance. How speaks yourself, my lord % 

Prince. I think my father scants religion's due, 
Maltreating thus your master's frequent quests. 

Constance. E'en so; and as an earnest of his thought, 
He wills to solve your sworn allegiance, 
And consecrate your every cry and stroke 
Against th' existing onerous government. 

Prince. Whose bidding, think you, is most capable 
In Germany % 

Constance. The Church, for all the world, 

Hath the fore rank. No prelate whom the pope 
May not dispose at list. 

Prince. Ha ! Say you so 1 

Constance. And why not, my good prince 1 What reverence 
Unto a sovereign owe they, in the ban 
And hated object of the Church 1 Fear not 
This tendence be preserved in your despite ; 
Their hearts are due where'er the pope esteems. 

Pri7ice. Can you assure his best svipport through all 7 

Constance. Ay, by this signet. 

Prince. Well ; repair with me 

To a more fav'ring privacy — Anselm ! 

Enter Anselm. 
Desire Count Adelbeit to seek our chamber. [Exeunt. 



SCENE III. — A Room in the same. 

Enter Sigismund. 
What means this upstart strangeness that affects 
Where'er I come 1 All my accustomed friends 
Fall from my fellowship, and ice my heart 
With frigid and penurious courtesy. 
What hath thus crippled me in their regard % 
By Heav'n, I'll know it ; for my nature craves 
Heart sustenance, and farewell all with friends. 
Bohemia tends this way. If kindness links, 
He should be firm-contracted to my weal. 
Hail ! My good lord ; bestow approach this way. 



A TRAGEDY. 



15 



Enter Bohemia, 
Break a few words with me. 

Bohemia. To-morrow, sir. 

Sigismund. To-day or never, duke. Interpret me 
This version in the gesture of my friends. 

Bohemia. Can you not guess 1 The current rumor's tongue 
With foul connections bloodies your repute. 

Sigismund. The charge, the charge 1 

Bohemia. 'Tis here disloyalty, 

'Tis there conspiracy. There want not those 
Who cry, his life attempted by your hand. 

Sigismund. Whose life '? 

Bohemia. The emperor's : some e'en these exceed. 

Among the main, as I my pace did urge, 
Was one amused a gaping curious crowd, 
Pretending that 'twas newly brought to light 
How you in butcheries time-practised were. 

Sigismund. Ha ! Ha ! My friends, to while away court-time, 
Have well contrived this jest. 

Bohemia. Ha ! Say you so 1 

Sigismund. Not thus, good duke. 

Bohemia. You are in peril, sir; 
Which to avoid, 'twere best that you withdraw. 
The emperor by Count Adelbert is told 

Sigis7nund. Ha! Adelbert '? 

Bohemia. Why stand you thus aghast ) 

My time hath stress ; farewell ! But are these truths 1 

Sigismund. Tmths! Tmths! 

Bohemia. Why clutch your sword '? Your looks affright. 

I nothing doubt you, baron ; but, I pray ye. 
Call me not your acqtiaintance, while these times. 

Sigismund. Away, thou thing : exemplarof the world. 

[Exit Bohemia. 
— God help me, what a treach'rous fiend is this ! 
Seeing his falseness self-bewrayed in me, 
No way he knew t' unhand me of his fate, 
Save the imputing similar guilt in me. 
Most artful, subtle villain ! — To enforce 
Amercement from his heart's blood, be my task. — 
Henry to list his forged batteries ! 
^eaven forgive him '. Adelbert, I bum 



16 HENJR,Y IV. OF GERMANY; 

To hold thee in the aspect of my sword. 
But lo ! he wends this way. Let me retire, 
Lest prescient of my presence he diverge. 

Enter Adelbert. 

Adclbert. It gathers as it goes. E'en I am 'mazed 
To see how lovingly mankind embrace 
Conviction of their fellow's guilt. — Ha! you'? 
Why thus upon me rivet you your eye*? 

Sigismund. That conscience fii'ed, more dire may prove your 
death. 

Adelbert. Villain ! Resheathe yoixr sword ; I owe you naught. 

Sigismund. Thou hast encanker'd my fair faith with men ; 
This ow'st thou me; — but therein poor thyself, 
Thy life becomes my compt. Advise thee, draw j 
Or I will tilt so full upon that breast, 
That further chance shall lose itself with death. 

Adelbert. Approach me not, avoid ; in danger, Ho ! 

Enter Emperor, Austria, Saxony, Lords, &c. 

Emperor. Remove the weapon from that madman's hand. — 
Oh! Sigismund! — 

Adelbert. My lord 

Emperor. — This sadly proves 

Th' attached bleuiie; 'gainst all, it must be so. — 
He dare not, if so bent, attempt false charge. 
Approach ! How chanced this 1 

Adelbert. As I, my lord. 

Did casvxally pace this hall, thought-blind 
And unforeseeing, suddenly out starts, 
Unpresaged, Sigismund. In desp'rate rage 
That I had broached the workings of his heart, 
He lances at my breast. 

Emperor. Enough. All hence. 

Unto the council-chamber. 

Sigismund. Sov'reign prince. 

Can you list him, and me deny to hear 1 

Emperor. You shall be heard. Unto the council, all. 

[Exeunt. 



A TRAGEDY. 17 



SCENE IV.— ^ Cottage. 



Arnold, Bertha, a Boy, (A/s son,) and Leopold apart in 
thought. 

Arnold. Have you ne'er a flagon of the vintage, child 1 

Bertha. Sorrow the day: wine is the only prologue to the 
best of your old histories of war. 

Arnold. Would I had ne'er condescended to utter the accident 
and sparkles of my time, for then 

Bertha. We had missed woi'thy enjoyment. 

Arnold. Then would my tired details have the spii'it and fx-esh- 
ness of news. 

Bertha. Keeping bestows not that nicety of relish on the liquor 
of our memory, which the flow and unhoard beget in the sense 
of old acquaintance. 

Boy. Old soldier, when mean you to take down your ponder- 
ous halberd again '? 

Arnold. Never again, youngster ; except my old passion pos- 
sess me to go up for a finishing sight of my brave war-boy, the 
emperor. On thirty-six fields have we done slaughter together; 
in that many of his fifty-five victories have I followed the rout 
of his enemies. He js the paragon of our race ; Time stops 
amazed and leans on his sickle before him. 'Tis a sufficient lot 
to live in his age — side by side we have fought. — Well, well; 
many can vaunt the like; yet when my old helm, thirteen sum- 
mers by, was split i' the twain to fend his royalty, he said not a 
little ; he shouted 

Boy. Till the steel of the field did laugh to the sound, — Well 
done, my old fellow. 

Arnold. Out, thou young wolf! Thinkst thou we've not 
chronicled old 'scapes by the hour together, my sovereign and I ; 
and clashed cans in how many a merry bout ? 

Boy. I, how many faith 1 When crazy Tim Kreutzer and you 
got drunk upon guard one cold Saxon night 

Arnold. And 'twas as dark as the cave of a Lapland witch, in 
comes an old Gennan with rusty armor, and hails at companion- 
ship with an exceeding curious humor. I tell you, the welkin 
was split in the audience o' our wit, and our comical jokes and 
our choruses ; but in the top o' ecstacy, up marches our guard- 
captain, and away with vis all to the emperor's tent-chamber, 
2* 



18 HENRY IV. GF GERMANY; 

But -^Ivhere was he then l Ay, that was a most ludicrous per- 
plex to the seekers ; — what thinkst thou How '? Our old rusty 
comrade makes nothing to advance to the emperor's state-seat, 
and by the torch light 'twas him past help, and with a terrible 
frown afore him. O, my four finger'd hand, what say you was 
then our affliction 1 

Boy. He caused bring swords to old Kreutzer and thee, and 
bade ye encounter ; when ye so whacked and batter'd at other, 
that ye lay unharnessed a month. 

Arnold. I'll so bewrack thy yovmg head, and thou'rt not more 
i' the ear, and less i' the tongue ■ 

Bertha. Indeed, father, he is forward and so rudely familiar 
'with you 

Arnold. Not a jot, say I; he shall be as [ choose, and have 
words when he will; come, come, Albi'echt, brave the valiancy 
of this goblet. " To the olden days !" — The spirit of the beve- 
rage will embolden the intmiacy of that liking which seems to 
wish progress betwixt you. — Fear not. Bertha. 

Bertha. Truth I am cowardly and will behold thee sip. 

Arnold. When I am a lambkin ; — sip, o' my soul ! — Would 
I had a vinegar drop of care, that I might violently drown it thus. 
— Ho, Sir Albrecht ; What now, that you buiy the action of your 
tongue in the speculation of your brain 1 Better a foolish some- 
thing than a wise nothing ; — if the wars are in no other way 
efficient, they induce a world of loquacity in their batter'd remnants. 

Leopold. My thoughts are in circle on the prospective like- 
nesses of war. 

Boy. O no mox'e wars, and I could fast for the grief of it. 

Arnold. Why so, youngling ? 

Boy. Thou art grown out o' war; it fits thee not, and there's 
an end all o' chance. 

Arnold. Murmur who will ; he hath an opinion o' me. — But 
see, son Frederick, and top o' the time it is too. 

Enter Frederick. 

Bertha. O welcome home, dear brother. 

Arnold. Welcome, brave boy ; what news in the town 1 

Frederick. No news but the expectation. Some who profess 
a fine and intricate knowledge in the signs of the age, and wisely 
soothsay the events of to-morrow 

Arnold. And there be many o' that profession ; what they fore- 
cry is as oft the consequence as coincidence of their prophecies. 



A TRA^ESy. 19 

Frederick. How ^wims th^e' tide at home % — How now, Al- 
breeht^ — But as I learned to say, there is trouble in expectance. 
Paschal is fanning the time-perishing hatred of papacy 'ward 
our state. 

Arnold,. Peace, peace ; the pope lacks humanity to fight. 

Frederick. Yet seldom fails to decoy to his battle auxiliar sub- 
stitutes. 

Arnold. And that's but true. 

Frederick. Beside, the state is rotting at the heart. The 
priesthood are essentially the pope's instruments through which 
he blows infection to the very core of the empire. So embosom- 
ing these appearances, I was urged toprovideme with— suits of 
armour. 

Arnold. The devil ! Show us, show us. 

Frederick. 'Tis without; I desire thy admiration by sunlight. 
[E.veunt save Bertha aiid Leopold. 

Leopold. Why thus discouraged 1 

Bertha. Albrecht, tell me why 1 

Why throw you still disdain upon my glance, 
Granting but melancholy nouriture 1 
What is it in me possest of such disgrace 
As can in your esteem deform me thus 1 

Leopold. Not so, not so : if, as you still pretend, 
A passion urge you for my worthless self, 
Why ever vex me with reuttering that 
Which serves to grieve me for your own peace' sake 1 
The thought is false that else than grace abides 
In your fair innocence; no guilt of mine 
That my dear estimate grows not to love. 
This last is elsewhere writ; its links do twain 
By an above prescription : so forget 
This phantasied conception, and complete 
The sum allotted my content. 'Tis much 
I owe this roof; I Avas unfortunate ; — 
1 spake it, — and besought a home. Your doors 
Flew gladly wide to my unwarrantize. 

Bertha. I fear you are not what yoii then beseemed ; 
No peasant's son, I ween, but high in birth. 
For there's a spirit of nobility 
As nature 'twere, a wrestler with your art 
Which is but feeble. If 'tis so, declare : 
If birth partition fabrics, ah! perforce 



20 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Affection must be dumb ; which piteous case 
Must be, for aught I see, its only doom. 
But if my nature hath some flaw, — defect 
In temper, understanding, or in fonu 
Of language or demeanor, which beneath 
Thy heart and sympathy my value weighs, — 
With strife gigantic, with ambition's strength, 
I'll combat for its o'ertlu'ow, till 

Leopold. O hold. — 

I am not proud, ye gods ; no, 'tis not pride 

Bertha in this you lacerate my heart. 

Bertha. I say no more. [Exit Berth.4. 

Leopold. Great blame is mine herein. 

I linger here, till honor cries, begone. 
My melancholy dreamed to find relief 
In humble socialness. The lot I sought, 
Was found, and the relief desired supplied. 
Had I but Imiited existence here ! 
My error was in knowing Adela, — 
To her belong my thoughts; farewell these walls. 

[Exit Leopold. 



SCENE lY.— Castle of Sigismund. 

Baroness and Adela. 

Baroness. How tends your choice 1 

Adela. Not to the court, indeed. 

Baroness. On what is gromided your repugnancy 1 

Adela. My age 

Baroness. How many less matured, shine there 1 

Adela. What understanding I herein possess, 
Makes faith to doubt th' advantage of the court 
To youthly residents. I am convinced 
That nature meets contempt and slight from art, 
And best dissimulation bears the palm. 

Baroness. You do not widely err, and for your choice 
I shall not urge it. Nothing in our world 
Deserves a prejudice. Howe'er the court 
May be a tumult of mean artifice, 



A TRAGEDY. 21 

It is a school, where wisdom, if invoked. 
May be acquired. Yet you are nearest right. 

Adela. 'Twas taught of Leopold. 

Baroness. Ill-fortuned youth ! 

Adela. Unfortunate indeed ! 
Yet have I often mused how his estate 
Can live in wrenched possession, why his right 
Is banished from the law a term so long. 

Baroness. It strangely seems to us, who cannot know 
Why wicked strength should master weaker right. 
I will impart what knowledge I possess 
Questioning this : When mortal malady 
Smote the near kindred of young Leopold, 
Count Egbert's son so sudden as an hour, 
He being orphan 'd, a far relative 
Took guardianship upon hmi. For his health 
This guardian, Godfrey, sent the boy to seas, 
And eight years hindered him of home and rights ; 
Playing meantime the traitor and the thief 
Urging false claims, he grasped the estate and rank. 
And held them for himself So when returned 
The due inheritor, he knew him not ; 
Denied his sameness, and retained liis lands. 

Adela. And Leopold could not impress the law 
With his identity. 

Baroness. Ee'n so. — I leave you. 

But will return ere long. [Exit Baroness. 

Adela. Too oft 'tis seen 

That villany runs far a prosperous race, 
Yet ne'er knew I a happy term and goal. 

Enter Leopold. 

Leopold. Nor ever will. 

Adela. Ha ! Leopold your voice 

Startled; howe'er your aspect glads. Indeed 
You're welcome to our somewhat loneliness. 

Leopold. My steed would take no curb ; but as there were 
Omnipotent attract herein, he flew 
As fleet and straight as arrows to the home, 
When heard you from your sire 1 



22 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Adela. Too long time past, 

We hope his soon return. 

Leopold I wish it much. 

I fear tempestuous hours ; the aspect now 
Assumes a still and warning front ; all men 
The nat'ral currents of their lives desert, 
And pause as if expectant : all informs 
To one who mounts the mast-head of the times 
To peer beyond, a dreadful sea o'ernear. 

Adela. What do you fear 1 

Leopold I ever have observed 
That civil motion vibrates ere it bursts : 
Methinks were men but shallow, blind and dull, 
They might forefend the sviddenness of fate. 
In those dread periods when she summons up 
And loosens o'er the rife and ready world 
The hell-fires of her wrath, filling the vast 
With awful havoc of the gen'ral race. 

Adela. I nothing fear of this. — My parent comes. 
Behold! 

Enter Baroness. 

Baroness. Informed of your arrive, I haste 

To speak your welcome. 

Leopold. My best thanks be youi's. 

Baroness. An unused pallor hath usurped your checks. 
Unstate this gloom, distemper's minister. 
Be sanguine : Grief hath not that power he boasts ; 
A little cheer, — afFrightedly he flees. 

Leopold. To lose his government, I brought me here. 
In solitude a fever takes my brain. 
And conjures up a ghastlike choir of thoughts. 
Till phrenzy make me desperate. 

Baroness. Should this be '? 

Methought thou heldest not at sorrow's worth 
The loss of thy estate. 

Leopold. If it were sunk. 

A villain's tenure calls upon reprise. 

Adela. Who comes 1 The court sill rings with 'won tramp. 

Leopold. The baron. 

Baroness. Dost thou think so 1 — Yes, 'tis he. 



A TRAGEDY. 23 

Enter Sigismund. 
Sigismund. I see all well ; enough. For mine own self 
Its health is passing good. 

Adela. But, father, no ; 

It seems not thus. 

Baroness. Your looks are wild and pale, 

Sigismund. Then is it their fault, — for I indeed am calm. 
Ah! Leopold. 

Leopold. I hope you are belied ; 

For truly what is visible of you 
Betokens a discomfiture at heart. 

Sigismund. Then hearken : I am banished from the court, 
And further presence of the emperor, 
Disgraced through each division of the realm, 
And bounded in my territory's span, — 
Yes ! Girdled by these walls. Here in my home — 
Baroness. What have you done 1 

Sigismund. Good God ! What have I done 1 

Slaughtered my prince, — betray 'd the state : — What else"? 
Whate'er you please. — I wrong your innate fears. 
A noble, witless of my nature's stuff. 
Did whistle me my sov'reign to desert, 
Betraying bootlessly his pers'nal guilt. 
The sense of his discovered malintent 
And of my power to publish him a wretch 
Urged his forefense. He filled the emperor's ear 
With misconceit of my rock-loyalty ; 
Whichknown, I gave indignance free consent, 
And drew upon this slave. But fell mischance 
Called in my lord, who burst to flaming wrath, 
And in th' explosion me exiled. — Enough — 

Baroness. A timely entrance. Hadst thou silenced this 
Person most base, who would not have decried 
Thy guiltiness. 

Sigismund. 'Twas that inhibited 

My loitering for vengeance. 

Leopold. Name this man 1 

Sigismund. Count Adelbert. 
Adela. Cheer, father : in the end 

All shall be well determin'd : do not doubt 
But truth will triumph. 



24 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Leopold. Sorrow blast his heart ! 

Sigismund. That I must suffer ! 

Baroness. Till the period comes 

Of vindication ; then these shackles drop, 
And justice may be uttered. 

Sigismund. Farewell all. 

My good repute stands smirched ; and easier 'tis 
To blacken than reblanch. 

Adela. Rely on Heav'n. 

Leopold. Insensate Henry, ere thou sleep'st in peace, 
This wide ixnwalled suspicion thou shalt wail. 

Sigismund. Too soon, too soon ; he little wots what tempest 
Is rising for his harm. 

Baroness. Then never grieve; 

You stood within, but now art 'yond its reach. 

Adela. Here conscience-sheltered, and amid your friends, 
You may behold the wintry desolate stonns 
That tear the world, and smile at your escape. 

Leopold. May fiends embattle in his bosom's world ! 

Sigismund. Good youth, disgrace our colours hath torn down ; 
Blush not to troop with other stolen friends. 

Leopold. You wrong me, by the gods ! No : hear me, sir, 
I vote each sinew 'd parcel of my means 
To give erection to your foundered name ; 
This base supplanting foe, will I pursue 
Into earth's hiding places, but revenge 
These coward doings, and re-edge your sword 
Hacked by the emperor's restriction. 

Sigismund. Hold. 

'Twere kindness to annul this imposed straint, 
Which renders me self-gaoler in my home. 
But he is strange to me and odious 
Who steals me of my vengeance. 

Leopold. Ho! my horse. — 

Baroness. Come, be convivial and submerge all care 
In nobler wisdom. 

Adela. For serenity 

Turns inward slander's thorn. 

Leopold. To all, farewell. 

Sigismund. Where now 1 



A TRAGEDY. 25 

Leopold. To make the emperor rehecort 

His ancient grace. 

Baroness. What title hath your zeal 1 

Leopold. The tie of kincked; in these letters he 
Has giv'n me Adela, 

Adela. Is't so, indeed. 

I've seen that time, when thou possess'd of these 
Wouldst not have ta'en departure in such haste. 

Leopold. For thee, for thine I go. 

Sigismund. We'll see thee leave. 

There's matter for our converse as we go. [Exeunt. 



SCENE YL— Room in the Palace. 

Emperor a7id Prince Henry. 

Prince. Let me commend your highness to impose 
An absence on the diet near at hand. 

Emperor. What reasons counsel this reproof of usage 1 
'Tis much that must induce us to infringe 
This institute and custom's perquisite. 

Prince. Say rather, why should you dispend rich time 
And misprized patience thither '? Let your years 
Of tiresome ceremonials be disrupt; 
Do not expose your health, sir, to attend. 

Emperor. My mind to go is strung most pointedly, 
And is past bias. 

Prince. Let your son's entreat 

Unbuckle your disposal. 

Emperor. Tell me why : 

What motive works in you to chain us thence 1 

Prince. My lord, you cannot think how much the realm 
Is in the pope's invisible restraint ; 
Extravagant conject falls short the sum. 

Emperor. O 'tis too true ; we are enjoined to crush 
This strength-devouring power in our rights. 

Prince. Of late, perceiving this, I have sent forth 
To know the perfect dolor of this evil. 
My lord, beware this congress; 'tis misshaped, 
Of base, unleaven'd, hostile rudiments, 
3 



26 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

That machinate disventures for your state. 

The gross and bulk are fee'd and power'd of Rome. 

Emperor. Beware! 'twere better they beware. — By Heav'n ! 
Is our authority the sport of slaves *? 
When was our sceptre undertamed 1 To go. — 
Shuns the leviathan shoals of pettier breath 1 

Prince. Your impulse will surrender its resolve, 
When of my reasons you are more possess'd. 
Think not my love's excess timidity, 
But guard and sentinel to your defence. 

Emperor. What course takes your persuasion 1 

Prince. This ; to keep 

Your valued person from this danger's shade, — 
To haste to Ingelheim, — your castle there 
Is pleasant, safe, commodious ; in the mean. 
Your temporary sway declined on me, 
I will attend the council, with the force 
To shackle all unholy foul designs. 
Your presence could no more : Do you accede 7 
Come, my liege lord, within ; whiles I do urge 
Capturing arguments and joleas for this. [Exeunt. 



SCENE VII. — Gates of the same. 

Saxon and Son. 

Saxon. Son, importune me not. 

Son. I have a right. 

Some dreadful memoiy or fancy stirs 
Unceasingly within you. In my childhood 
I ever saw it, but childlike conceived, 
'Twas proper to mankind ; not singular 
To you, as observations teach at length. 
I swear I'll take no further sustenance 
Until I know the feature of thy thought. 

Saxon. Boy ! boy ! — Then hearken : Thirteen summers gone 
This emperor invaded Saxony, wild-like 
And furious in the devastation : Sire 
And brethren, wife and children, all, save thee, 
Perished one night when through our village came 



A TRAGEDY. 27 

A party of his soldiers. Mid the ashes 
Of my paternal dwelling, I stood up 
And took an oath, dreadful and sacred, ne'er 
To make my country my abode, till he 
Had amply paid these debt in record here. 

Son. By Heaven 'twas bold ! 

Saxon. And just *? 

Son. 'Twas bold. 

Saxon. Not just '? 

Son. Past his control perhaps the instruments 

Saxon. I sought him ere I swore. But he denied 
To make the soldiers suffer. 

Son. 'Tis long past. 

If you could thus let sleep your high demands, 
Why let them always rest. 

Saxon. And recreant son, 

Have you no feeling of your mother 1 

Son. Hold! 

Let me be partner in your purposes. 

Saxon. Enough. Come with me to resolve the means. 

[Exeunt. 



28 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 



ACT II. 
SCENE I. — Castle of Ingelheim. 

Emperor, Adelbert, Bohemia. 

Emperor. I find no comfort in this drear abode ; 
The very air with fantasies is charged, 
Which, breathing, so infects our mind with gloom, 
That all the channels of our num'rous sense 
Convey no cheer, nor else but ill forbodes. 
Upon the instance of the morrow's sun, 
This dusk and imperfection of a place 
We shall desert : regain our proper roof 
And more dear habitance, 

Adelbert. To Mentz, my lord 1 

It can but give an edge to danger's tooth. 

Emperor. Even so ; Who saw us shrink from peril's front, 
Save in the imply of this pernicious time 1 
The fiend take all advice; when impulse sways, 
Seldom toils sorrow after to chastise. 
But when our nature swerves to foreign art, 
Repentance galls the svibject ; so, no more. 
But take a backward step from rash resolve, 
It seems a something so defoi-med and strange, 
That we, our people's sovereign and our own, 
Should start from jeopardy. 

Adelbert. And yet, my lord, 

Would your dear son dread unembodied riskl 
Or thus advise were menace not most lov'd '? 

Emperor. Most true; dear Henry, kind beloved son, 
Meseems, our first was framed distort and curst 
That we our present having might apprize. 
What storms soe'er assiege our time-moss'd head, 



A TRAGEDY. 29 

The wealth of his fidelity might swell 
Our torn possession even to whole content. 

Enter Rhoderick. 

Rhoderick. Their graces of Cologne, of Woims and Mentz, 
Archbishops, with a lib'ral body-guard, 
Ask audience of your majesty, 

Emjjcror. Indeed ! — 

Present them on the instant. 

Rhoderick. Sire, forgive: 

Affection boldens me, — their warlike port 
Makes me to apprehend a thi-eatened harm. 
Deny, and fly : thus plainly counsels one, 
A lowly subject but sincere, my lord. 

Adelbert. Fly, slave ! Take that, thou reptile. 

[Exit Rhoderick. 

Emperor. Let them come — 

Ne'er smite your lessers ; they're bestowed with soul, 
And liberal nature sanctions their revenge 
As their superiors. 

Adelbert. Menials should possess 

A servile spirit, made to bend and brook. 
Nature, my lord, discriminates ; and knows 
In her apportionments the difference 
Of worldly state. 

Emperor. Is't so '? I tell thee, no. — 

Enter Archbishops of Cologne, Mentz, and Worms. 

Cologne. In that diet's name, the holiest pontiff's grace 
Has blessed and sanctioned, we approach thine eye, 
O, Henry ! 

Emperor. Well ; your charter we allow ; 

Time scorns used form ; unlock forthwith your charge. 

Mentz. O, sir, our message only suits your ear. 

Bohemia. Let us retire the while. Count Adelbert, [E.xeunt. 

Emperor. Now give these hardy frowns, a key in terms. 

Cologne. You are enjoined, by mandate and consent 
Of the assembled congress, now in Mentz, 
To abdicate the crown ; resign the robe, 
The ring, the crown, which symbolize thy power, 
To our colleagued and high-empowered hands ; 
3* 



30 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Which law is so supreme to all dispute 
That replication is but empty sound. 

Emperor. We lavxgh at your commission ; get you back, — 
We'll be in Mentz before ye ; not a one 
Among these traitorous, rash, rebellious worms, 
But shall beweep this day, when they were drunk 
With sensless hardihood. Avoid our sight : 
We're angered to a point will doom your death. 
If longer tarry ye t' afflict our eye. 

Wornis. Laughter is not the livery for chains : 
Were we undignified 'twere ours to mock. 
Look out that portal : the wide tenement 
Is full with the suppliance of our strength, 
And to our mere presentment, yours surrend. 

Mentz. O powerless prince, know exaltations cease : 
Give o'er the garniture of royalty 
Wherewith your successor may be indued. 

Emperor. What's he 1 

Mentz.. Your son. 

Emperor. Ay, even so, good Mentz : 

And he will wait his father's free dispose, 
Ere don the weighty robes of royal care. 

Cologne. What ! is your oifspring loving and so true 1 

Emperor. Thou w^orkst that smile to taunt my earlier loss. 
But know, O priest, my duteous son and heir 
Would sooner roam the basest mendicant, 
Than see his father outraged in this kind. 

Worms. Who was it spun-ed the diet to this mark 
Which now we represent \ Thy boasted son. 
His factors filled the hall, and each convoked 
He first approved and in the task prepared. 
For he is righteous and doth love the cluu-ch. 

Em2)eror. Was this enrol'd against me, ye of Heaven % 
Wei-e not my tribute and my doom consumed 
When Rodolph paired my heart and killed the half? 
But credence cannot go this flight, — no, no ; 
False-spoken priests, I hold your sland'rous words 
Untrue and merely malice. 

Cologne. Peace, O peace ! 

Delay, time's thief, we will not tolerate. 
By those we serve we shall have our command. 



A TRAGEDY. 31 

Emperor. Let then your oaths remove this pendent doubt, 
Which will not yield to your infectious words. 
Swear him a faithless guilty-stricken son, — 
Conjure him to mine eyes that hollow thing. 

Cologne. By my devotion, I protest your son 
Did move the congress to depose his sire. 

Emperor. Am I this wretch'? Or is it nature's fault '? 
Rhoderick bring forth the purple robe : — 

Worvis. Ah, now 

You show like what you should : consent alone 
Might sweeten future medicines. 

Emperor. Behold ! 

The ring, the robe, the crown, ourself enthroned. 
Now, tell me, why should we put off these signs '? 

Cologne. The righteous congress utter the command. 

Emperor. They are unsanctioned, and their words are froth. 

Cologne. Earth's highest warrant vests their utterance. 

Emperor. In our own realm, validity hath nought 
Which disrespects our sovereignty of will. 
Hence, dull, unmanner'd priests ; in you we know 
But headstrong insolence. Are you our peers 1 
Nothing that shames this orb hath baser frame, 
Less winnowed earthliness, than thou, Cologne 
And Mentz thyself Did we apparel ye^ 
In the rich decorations of your sees, 
And dare- ye thus confront 

Mentz. Why suffer we 

This war of epithet to steal our time'? 
We're officer'd to capture these ensigns ; 
So 

Emperor. Hold ! one stride compels a tragic deed ; 
Stand where thou standst ; — as well as dare advance, 
Buy hell with self-infliction. — Priest, beware ! 

(Mentz disarms him.) 
Ho, there ! my battle-axe ! — wouldst pillage me *? 
The black death take thy flesh, false-hearted hound, 
To bay thy master thus ! Oh for a sword 
All 'twixt the Hartz and Alps ! — Now are we shorn. 

Mentz. Where was your benefit % must I perforce 
Be single soldier to our captaincy '? 
Take thou tlie purple, — thou the ring ! — myself 



32 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

This chief temptation will convey. So, now 
With this rich freight let us rewend our way. 
Farewell, sir. 

Worms. God be with you ! 

Cologne. Prince, farewell ! [Exeunt. 

Emperor. Hark! their drums beat trivuTiphant march. — And 
now 
What's left for me 1 To list me in his guard 
And be my offsprings underling '? How else '? 
By my best strength, I'd rather tread the wold 
And make the beasts my dieters, — alone, 
Unserved, unmaster'd, levy life's supply. — 
But come, thou better genius, honest pride, 
Whose symbol is not glitter. — 

— Be it so : 
Abjection Tor the bended peasant's soul, — 
We mount the clouds to battle with the storm. 
And yet, what wildness could have hit conject 
Of under nature there'? — The times live hence 
To note and weep our losses ; when in port, 
We may ixview our rented sails. The main 
Cries on us to display our eveiy best ; 
These strippings are but hollow ; they are wide 
Of royalty's fixed soul. — By Heaven, we must 
Reburnish apprehension once again, 
And disentomb our effort militant. 
Although this individual self contain 
Our one-whole squadron, yet shall come the strife. 
What rude approach 1 Are we soon contemned 1 

Enter Leopold 
Leopold. My lord, a most just friend hath been extort 
And warped from your esteem, by falsehood's wiles 
And envy's angry hate ; albeit the skies 
No being cope whose heart's most native throbs 
Chord more unjarred fidelity. — My lord, 
I swear he hath been wi'onged, maligned, traduced ; 
Though it may forfeit the decline of those 
Too high in place, yet shall not I go hence 
Till in your estimate and due regard 
Is uncareened your faithful Sigismund. 



A TRAGEDY. 33 

Emperor. O tell me by what spell he could awake 
This sympathy in thee, this extacy 1 

Leopold. His bosom ne'er did ofter port, my lord, 
To thought disloyal. Malice hath diseased 
Your sound regard, and stol'n your very armor. 
Could you dishearken one whom time approved 
An honest, loyal lover, and partake 
The villain hate of rank deformity 1 
Weapon with your opposeless sway a thing 
Conjunct of baneful, subtle artifice, 
Excommuned from all high-born sentiment, 
To let him hack and slash among the fame 
Of excellence, in his true state possessed. 
O, my good loi'd, 'tis easy to declare 
His falsehood's secret cause. Having betrayed 
His bosom's perfidy to Sigismund, 
Th' unwise committal urged this subsequence. 

Emperor. Rhoderick, bid Count Adelbert approach. — 
Thy name] 

Leopold. Is Leopold, Count Egbert's son. 

Emperor. Him I remember while this life endures. 
The day lives brightliest in my memory 
When from a matin fate he snatched my days. 
Beneath my mother's tutelage I gi-ew, 
Till my twelfth spring arrived, when my i-emove 
Was by the priesthood planned. Enticed by craft, 
On Hamno's sumptuous ship I one day passed, 
Viewing its novel beauty and fast frame. 
Upon a motion all afloat the oars 

And down the Rhine we swept. Then, most alarmed, 
1 cast my pithless body in the tide, — 
And rashness wovild have had high sacrifice, 
Had not Count Egbert instantly pursued 
And disappointed ruin, 

Rhoderick. He went hence 

In cordial company 

Emperor. Is't possible % 

With the archbishop '? 

Rhoderick. Even so my lord ! [Exit. 

Emperor. O miserable dolt, these eyes are filmed 
With folly, else how fail to apprehend 



34 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

The portents of this day of treachery. — 
Go, bid exult the baron : him we wronged 
And he may triumph o'er our humbled state. 

Leopold. He'd sooner die. But what hath fallen my lord 1 

Emperor. I'll move the veriest energies of earth 
To make this day an interval — no more. 
Time must renerve my wounded pow'r, and soon, 
Retribute with a vengeance. Smile, my soul ; — 
Thy countenance, although impassionate, 
Breathes token of an inward sorrow ; say, 
Are we not right 1 

Leopold. Ay, by my father's tomb. 

Emperor. Cam'st thou from Mentz along 1 What news was 
there 1 

Leopold. I hastely spurred through either gate, my lord. 
And tarried for no sound. 

Emperor. Thou knowst not then 

The diet's seizure of their sovereign's crown 1 

Leopold. The grace of Heaven forbid ! 

Emperor. Three ruffian priests 

Despoiled our person, but this instant hour, 
Of coronation weeds. 

Leopold. With what intent 7 

Emperor. Ha! there: the utterance stabs ; — to elevate 
Our recreant son into his father's seat. 
Standst thou amazed 1 Behold ! I have no crown, 
Yet one might speculate a sympathy 
Was raging in your eye. 

Leopold. By Heaven's bright orb, 

With my best heart I'll follow in your laile 
Till on these traitors you've suspended chains 
To pull them under earth ! Rebellious slaves ! — 
Enlist me in your ranks, my injured liege, 
And you shall see, how all my bosom warms 
Toward my prince in his calamities. 
Misfortune eases those neglected springs 
Whose dixty is a fellowship for grief. 

Emperor. By all the gods ! good youth, you shall have post 
In critical approach to us. 

Leopold. And you 

Will invite Sigismund — - 



A Tragedy. 35 

Emperor. If he consent 

To shut his memory's portal, (save against 
The prime malicious mover,) and indeed 
Go shares v/ith our distress, till we are firm, 
He shall possess this bosom all entire. 
Whoe'er be friends in these disastrous times, 
By Heav'n hereafter we will sell ourself 
If it may do him good. Of this enough : 
Necessity calls to us from afar. 
And we must hence upon occasion's front. 
Who meets not fortune's buffets with a smile 
Is further smitten : time hath taught us this. [Exeunt. 



SCENE II, — SiGisMUND in his castle. 

O what a curb is patience for revenge ; 

And how all confines prey upon its flame. 

Hope is its casual food, — its ultimate 

Is voluntary poison : — with content 

It ceases being. How I long to 'scape 

This conscience which computes each unseized hour 

That gallops unimproved from careless reach ; 

Vengeance, — revenge ; two bloody-looking terms : 

Appel it justice then, of more meek note. 

Be whatsoe'er it may, who tamely meets 

The woundings of despite, were he not pale 

And imbecile at heart, would act those deeds 

His sufferance vilely flatters. Well, my child ? 

Enter Adela. 

Adela. Father, you shall not be so lone : indeed 
To fasten specvilation on your wrongs 
Is profitless. See, it suspends a gloom 
And unbecoming favor on your brow. 
Pray, tell me, if th' inquiry not offends, 
Why are your feudsmen gathering in arms '\ 

Sisismund. Is't so ? I knew it not. — Rodolph, how now 7 



36 HENRyi\.OF GERMANY; 

Enter Rodolph. 

Rodolph. Tidings that fill the air : th' old emperor 
Hath been disseated, disenthi-oned, disrealmed, 
And in his place upraised his son, my lord. 

Sigismund. So soon*? 

Rodolph. My lord % — A contest is presaged 

By various manifestoes. Sire and son 
Sound their loud trump for partisans ; the noise 
Amazes all the land. 

Sigismund. These drops foreshow 

A torrent mustering. 

Rodolph. The nmnerous part 

Of your true feudators, come flocking in, 
In hard pursuance of these news, haste-amied, 
And ready for your guidance to the fields, 

Sigismund. Whither would they 1 

Rodolph. Where'er your pleasure wills. 

Sigismund. Rodolph, I made thee know what accidents 
Had gambled with my time-bought estmiate. 
As honest impulse actuates your thoughts, 
And your gray hairs deserve the privilege, 
Give me your counsel in this crisis. 

Rodolph. How 1 

Why thus : Weighing your duty's peniianenee 
Which at your sovereign's check did never balk. 
But still through all his fortune's maze adhered, 
It seems a monstrous and excuseless fault 
This finish of your trust. Had I your power 
I would exert it his reverse to heap 
And sicken his mutation. Trust me, sir, 
Your tenants are indignant at these wro^igs. — 

Adela. But, Rodolph, know you not he was misled, 
And was the veiy villain's instrument. 
Who wrought against your master these events 1 
Thy counsel is of judgment thine unworthy. 

Rodolph. The world o'erteems with malice ; 'tis as slight 
And common as the merest weeds that grow ; 
'Tis the inflicted trouble of our state, 
A fret of nature : wortlfless our regard ; 
A spider to be ci'ushed not warred upon. — 
Ingratitude is something else ; for what 



A TRAGEDY. 37 

Imbibed affection's nurture, was enriched 
By long respect, must, in its treachery, 
Be surely worth the sickle of our wrath. 

Adela. O, father, there is no nobility 
In the return of meditated wrong 
'Gainst erring impulse. Let me counsel now. 
Here rest you quiet till assurance comes 
That the old emperor is in the field. 
Then it befits you muster all your force, 
And march to his support. 

Sigismmid. Thou hast but hit 

My own determined course. I merely played 
With your opinions. Rodolph, not to-day, 
Will we go forth. 

Rodolph. Even so. [Exit RoDaLPH. 

Adela. When do you guess 

That Leopold will return 1 

Sigisvmnd. I fear indeed 

These wars will charm his absence for some while. 

Adela. O, no ; he will not linger. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Sigismund. Have you news 1 

Messenger. These letters sir. [Exit. 

Sigismund. Thank Heaven ! from Leopold. — 

With higher matter mix'd he sends me these : 
My sov'reign kindly wafts me his desire, 
The memory to let fly of past dissents. 
And be his friendly subject once again. 
By Heaven ! good bye to dreary, noiseless walls. 
The wars, with all their bruyant accidents, 
Of emulation hot and eager-eyed, 
Of lofty venture, and the livery 
Of sound and scene which almost melt the sense 
To one most dazzled sentiment, we seek. 
But why in meditation wrapt, my child'? 

Adela. That which is not ; a reasonaljle plea 
For this strange-shown neglect ; why came he not 1 

Sigismund. Wait till the strife is done. Come, Adela : 
Departure must be planned, enforced and wept. 
Ere sundown. [Exemit. 

4 



38 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY? 



SCENE III. — Palace at Mentz. 

Adelbert and Godfrey. 

Adelbert. Is youi' possession stable and secure 7 
Is it so mortised that no slightest chink 
May work hostility about your wealth 7 

Godfrey. I know not that. This stripling here and there 
Makes sceptics in my right to titled rank. 
I would he were where I do gossip him. 
Dost thou know Sigismund ? 

Adelbert. My veriest foe. 

Godfrey. Heav'n blest him in his child. I saw her once ; 
The only fair in Germany. She's given 
In plight to Leopold. 

Adeldert. — Is't so 1 why then 

I prophecy our emnities concur. — 
My brother you must give this boy a pass 
For Heaven's gate, else may you apprehend 
But perilous morrows. 

Godfrey. So, at times, I think. 
But I have stricken all too much his kin 

Adelbert. To hesitate for him. What is it worth 
The acquisition of your broad estates, 
If insecurely yours. You know the prince 
Casts a fair eye on us,rand now commence 
With his domains occasion for our stars. 
Since we forsook the common paths of men, 
Swearing the general order to smnnount. 
How happily and high have we progi-essed ! 
Scruples ne'er aided us. 

Godfrey. Nor shall they now 

Oppose our scope. This earliest of my feat 
I'll gratify ere time hath travel'd much. 

Adelbert. And if this maiden nears your heart's desire 
I'll help you to the matrimony. Go : 

We'll hold anon some converse on this text. [Exit Godfrey, 
He bowed before mine eye in days of play, 
Whose power is still his governor. 'Tis strange 
How high command a grain of nature gives 
In one above another unpossest. — Ha ! ha ! 



A TRAGEDY. 39 

His daughter, — then, his. lands, — ay, stripped 
To very want, starvation and despair. — 
Hell's miseries cannot effray my hate. 
Behold, our new-anointed sovereign comes. 

Enter Henry the Fifth, the Archbishops of Cologne, Worms, 
and Mentz, and Austria. 

Henry. You have well done 5 our sanction and our thanks 
Go with your violent motions. Austria, 
We must stand ready for a sudden march. 
— Till all the faculties that help his hopes 
Are broken up, himself without a home. 
Save what submission buys, this crown is not 
Without some parcel of my father's spirit. — 
A heavy force comes onward from ovir bounds ; 
Fi'om every point direction hath attained. 
The sound of trampling masses bowls along. 

Adelberi. The empire yields her richest veins, for war 
To sluice for your maintain of place, my lord. 

Henry. We dovibt it nothing. Meantime let our friends 
Look toward gratitude for honors. They 
Shall coin what the false servants of the crown 
Lose in their treachery. We shall have note 
Of who stand up rebellious with my sire 5 
These forfeited estates we will bestow 
Among the more judicious. Now will we 
Glance o'er the lists of our assembling force. [Exeimt. 



SCENE IV, — Louvain — in the Castle. 

Emperor and Leopold. 
Emperor. Thou wound'st me quickly with this tale of thine 
To be despoiled of your inheritance, 
Your title, all your rights by wicked art — 
How could this be '? This causes shame in me 
For my abused authority, whose look 



40 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Should scope these continents, yet so .could wink 

Before th' unheeded outrage of this crime. 

We are beholden to adversity, 

That in our judgment hath disclosed these faults. 

So much as our bled state hath vein to do, 

Shall act remvmeration of thy loss. 

In our regard stand thou as titled ; when 

We've funeralized rebellion, to thy rights 

We'll lend a hasty hand. 

Leopold. But better 'twere 

We waive this paltiy matter that usurps 
Important hospitage unprivileged : 
Let it at random float, till graver cares 
Have ta'en permittance fx'om your burthen'd mind. 

Emperor. Swift and continuous as the wind, the noise 
Of gath'ring powers blows 'gainst us from the south. 
When rich men leave their coifers undefensed 

With what a zest I burn to be away 

And breathe a better life upon the march. 

Leopold. My heart each moment more impatient grows 
Till we are launched upon the sea of war. 
Upon your voice depends such rallied bands 
Of legiant subjects as give warranty 
For the immediate onset. 

Emperor. We shall make 

All further our equipment by this night, 
And ere the morn is yet awake, be bound 
Upon that voyage which must have no fate 
But shipwreck or success : all vulgar hope 
That aims at mere self-safety, stand aloof. — 
Here comes Bohemia, whose truth is steel 
Against distress, with others several. — Heav'ns ! 
Accord me but the means of gratitude. 

Enter Bohemia, Ermengarde, and. Generals. 
How live the preparations ? 

Bohemia. Prosperously. 

Your generals come embodied to announce 
That all stand eager for the marshal-word. 

Emperor. They soon shall have the slip for which they pant, 



A TRAGEDY. 41 

Let all be perfect. Meantime, mark these few : 

No discipline neglect, yet foster more 

The soldier's spirit. Intersperse your speech 

With sparks of fiery honor ; resting sure 

That inspiration is not barred his heart, 

One soul, ambition-spurred, is of more rank 

Than troops of strict servility ; for oft 

A breast so fired may turn the tide, and 'whelm 

The pouring victory. 

Bohemia, Ee'n so, my lord. 

Enter Rhoderick, 

BhodericTi. A force is seen upon th' approach this way. [Exit 

Leopold, By my best hopes, 'tis Sigismund. 

Emperor. No, no: 

I've weighed more nicely his late accidents : 
'Tis not in human nature to forget 
Such crying wounds, and, when retalliance 
Is opportune, to I'ender help for harm. 
O, no; yet think not, therefore, we regret: 
O never, — nothing. — [Exit Leopold, 

Ermengarde, your horse 
Show gallantly ; they plume your cap of pride. 

Re-enter Leopold. 

Leopold. My lord, tis he. 

Emperor. Who, Sigismund 1 

Leopold. Ee'n he, — 

Whose proper force is much incorporate 
With augments on the march, 

Emperor, Go forth, good lord, 

And give him greeting — - leave us to ourself. 



[Exeunt, 



O for the fine, the wild and spacious hope 
That urged me victor through innumerous fields 
In other days. How can I else 
Than be a loser in the present strife 1 
Say that T conquer, what more fell defeat 
Than where my subjects shed rebellious blood, — <■ 
My son a prisoner of war 1 O fate ! 
4* 



43 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Somewhat too long you wished me drag this life. 

Curses take hold him ! Can I title son 

A traitor thus respectless-eager for 

His destined burthen, that he needs must stab 

The very father-love in 's parent's heart 1 

[Exit. 



A TRAGEDY. 43 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. — Arnold's Cottage. 

Bertha. Gone, gone, past all return, and ne'er a word 
To breathe a consolation for left grief 
— The torment of his station. — Fool, fool, fool ! — 
My brother forth among the crazy wars, 
Which gallop down their best ; him followed now 
My old storm-beaten father. — Cluite alone. — 
" Wait here till havoc neighbours, then withdraw 
To the near convent," was his last prescript. 
I am determined else. For me what cheer 
When all my hopes stand in mine enemy 1 
This resolution is my only sort, — 
Disguised to make my father company 
And helpful comrade in the wars. Perchance 
I may behold, ere my sad fate is reached. 
My heartless captor ; then there rests no more. 
My parent hath not many hours advance, 
I'll start time-even to enact these thoughts, 
A certain grace a tragic end imparts 
To what lives unregarded and — repentance. [Exit. 



SCENE II — Emperor's camp near Ratishon. Before his tent 
SiGisMUND, Leopold, Bohemia, and Officers. 

Leopold. The scouts are home ; they found the hostile front 
Before their sight had lost our outerposts. 
Bohemia. Verging this way 1 
Leopold. Most sure, and nimble too. 



44 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Sigismund. The fearful crisis then will fatalize 
To-morrow's feature. 
Leopold. Hopes cry certainty 

Enter a Messenger. 

Messenger. The enemy are encamped within three leagues. 

Leopold. How near the mediate river 7 

Messenger. Sir, they lie 

Upon its very hem, 

Leopold. Enough : depart. 

[Exit Messenger, — Leopold enters the Emperor's camp, 

Sigismund. "We'll give them honest greeting. — I'll rip up 
The bowels of their ranks, to find my foe. — 
Bohemia, think you our late estimates 
Rate high the enemy 1 

Bohemia. Too low, too low. 

They double your false reckoning 

Sigismund. It may be : 

Still on the more will traitor's ruin fall 

Bohemia. 'Tis well to buoy your spii-its with this trust; 
'Tis well enough: yet do not much rely 
Upon your sense of right ; they have the same : 
Nor is it conscience alway bears the palm. 
You must do bravely to o'erthrow their force. 

Sigismund. You 7 your 1 as he were not conjoint with us, 

Enter Emperor and Leopold from the tent. 

Emperor. Give order that the posts projected be 
Ee'n to the Regen's brink. Our force we mean 
At the third watch of night shall follow up. 

Leopold. It shall be articled among the troops. 

Enter an Attendant. 

Attendant. An officer from the enemy, my lord, 
Entreats a parley with your majesty. {Exit. 

Emperor. What matter in this hour 7 The time has gone 
When offer might import. 

Enter Officer. 

What from the foe 1 
Oflcer. No foe, my lord, but your dear loving son 



A TRAGEDY. 45 

I am direct, with modest emphasis, 

To bring these subjects to your reason's ear. ' 

The numeral force of Henry, styled the Fifth, 

Far outstrips your opposings, even when ta'en 

The liberal-conjectured quantities, — 

Victory is his pers'nal slave of motion. 

— But with a shrinking and o'erfine a heart 

Doth he take anns against your highness' pride; 

And could he wake your virtues, would correct 

These times' dissensions with a peaceful hand. 

Heav'n hear his protestations ! that he moves 

By pure and righteous causes guided, as 

To win retractment of those scandals given 

The holy Church, to urge the nobler sparks 

Of your revolted nature, and in fine 

Induce a penitent and curbed deport 

Toward the pope : and therewithal he adds 

Would Paschal call his shafted curse again 

And pour the blessed commune-rights anew, 

His hostile arm will dviteously decline. 

Emperor. Hypocrisy ! E'en fiends contemn the creature, — 
Now while my thoughts pass that way, Leopold, 
See thou the spirit of sound be not neglect ; 
The battles droop where music revels not. 

Leopold. My lord, it shall be ordered. 

Officer. Has your highness 

Considered of this question 1 I await 
Due entertainment. 

Emperor. Ha ! wilt share our cheer % 

You shall be feasted. For the other part 
The manner of reply will be confessed 
Upon the cap o' the morn. 

Offxer. Enough: this slight 

Of profFer'd bounty soon will have its rue. [Exit. 

Emperor. Come, Sigismund, and tent with us a while 
To barter judgment on some grave imports. — 
The rest to their transactions : in the night, 
At the sixth watch, let all the chief attend 
Our ultimate commands and distributes. 

[Emperor and Sigismund enter the tent — Exit Leopold. 

Bohemia. Observe how rash his ventures. What, my lords, 



46 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

But idiocy could hope success herein 1 

Their mass still thickening and their counted force 

Ermengarde. Past all expectance. I am well convinced 
Your reasons lack not cogency. And note 
How fair a heraldment and foul reply, 
But even now. 

Bohemia. The honors of our mind 
Are not herein impeached, for fealty 
Is paid in our adherence to this length ; 
While those of rank may look for preference 

Ermengarde. The channel of inducements is not dry. 

Bohemia. Come to my tent, where I'll unfold to you 
The letters of Count Adelbert, — sum up 
Th' excuse and instigation of this art, — 
And dress your souls for motion in this cause : 

[ Exeunt. 



SCENE \\\.— Oidpo$ts of the Camp. 

Arnold, and Bertha, disguised, on guard. 

Arnold. Well, occasion may soon pi'ove you a warrior, and 
tis to be hoped a gallant one. 

Bertha. I shall achieve my best ; who could do less in such a 
cause Avere merely a felon. 

Arnold. Right. — I know not, but either the frankness where- 
with you affect me, or some latent associations, have rooted in 
me at once a paternal regard and soldierly fellow feeling toward 
you. I peruse a subjugated sorrow, a subscribed melancholy in 
your countenance, which, though your modesty assume a gayety, 
challenge my sympathy and heart kin. 

Bertha. The place is bleak, and the night wind chill ; I fear 
the exposure will afflict your health. 

Arnold. O, never : many the drear and wintry nights have I 
walked below the stars, — but always with warm thoughts : I am 
now too serious by half: I was wont to make admired entertain- 
ment for the watch; but the humor has vanished. 

Bertha. Thei-easonl 

Arnold. This : — Ever with my devotion to the good emperor, 
was mingled such a rooted confidence as made it cheerful. But 



TRAGEDY. 47 

now it thickens on his sorrows, and there are fears of his suc- 
cess—What iniqviity ! what shameless, foul, ungrateful treachery! 
Such a father too, who should make proud the love and fidelity of 
a son. Wo-stricken Henry ! in life's setting hour, to arm against 
a rebel child ! cruel, cruel : — 'T would murder me, e'en me an un- 
deserving, fond old soldier, to know the minutest failing in my 
offspring's affection. 

Bertha. Our captain's worthy of your honest warmth; and 
meseems were men but what they are, they would bear a most 
tender grief for his misfortvines, and devote their total means to 
his restoration. Yet do but see ; the forced disfeatured motion of 
a revolted son, with all the appal of incident, take the main 
oaths, and i-ecreant swords are most. All is one ; — fickle, falsely 
fickle; self-love, self-love, and no feeling, no pity. 

Arnold. Bitterly spoke and true. But take place where they 
will they are the guilty, and heaven will visit them. All wrongs 
are borne in mind. 

Bertha. But say what you list, the church is the prime mover 
of this rebellion. Tell me who can, how grew this animosity. 

Arnold. You know Henry was in his seventh year when he 
inherited the crown. The priestcraft strove at once to impreg- 
nate the blossoms of his judgment with reverence for the pope, 
and a submissive humiliant awe. All their endeavours how- 
ever were frustrated by the observation of the prince, who saw 
in the arrogant and encroaching Gregory, naught to claim his 
deference. So when he stood upon his independence, a footing 
which was nature's free gift, and would not thence be urged, the 
whole effort of the hood, with engines of malediction, and treachery- 
working deceit was bowled against him. Rebel and rebel, son 
after son disloyal, were the defeated fruit of their wrath. And 
now, the master sting of the whole is blown against him, when 
nature was almost ready for him. God befriend us ! to-morrow 
will be a fearful contest, and I fear me, the period of his strife- 
torn days. Come, let us be cheerful to-night. 

Enter Leopold with Soldiers. 

Arnold. Stand, ho! disclose yourself and purposes: 
You may not pass beyond. 

Leopold. Nor mean we so. 

I make the circle of the posts to know 
If all lives safe and proper through the watch. 



48 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Bertha. Tis he. 

Arnold. All here secure and silent. Sir, your voice 
Recalls some friend in mind ; say, do you know 
Old Arnold Adelfred. 

Leopold. Is't so *? again 

Among the wars 1 

Arnold. And you, that seem to own 

Authority, are you not called Albrecht 7 

Leopold. Ay, and a fellow soldier with yourself, 
Though not what I professed, when I besought 
Your liberal bounty. When your watch is done 
Seek out the tent of Leopold : tis pitched 
Beside the Emperor's. Awhile farewell. 
Strictly defend all passage of the lines. {Exit. 

Bertha, This proves his false report, his noble rank. 
O woful certitude to stead my fears ! 
Wrong and most wrong deceit, and not on him 
But me, ah me ! the forfeit thereof falls. 

now comes desperation, death and doom! 

1 care not what to end or di'ag my woes. 
O, spirit of evil ! give me instant means 

To leave this gloomy dreajTi, this tragic play. 

Arnold. I muse nor can resolve ; here is indeed 
A wonder- worthy marvel. — Hark ! young friend : 
Wouldst think this officer had hearthed with me, 
Been my companion for the two past years 1 

Bertha. 'Tis very strange indeed. 

Arnold. So should it seem 

Did you know all. I long to hear him tell 
How this promotion came. 

Bertha. 'Tis nothing so, 

No sudden elevance, but birth-bestowed. 

Arnold. No, I repeat : he sate beside my board — 

Bertha. But yet self- falsified. 

Arnold. You know him then 1 

Bertha. His heart, his heart, his heart ! 

Arnold. It is not well. 

Some certain regard that was based upon his appearance 
must now slide with its foundation and with a shock too. 
'Twas not well. — I'll tell thee, my friend, how I have a 
daughter who conceived a silly fondness for the fair youth's 



A TRAGEDY. 49 

company, and now may reckon her spent affections. It is ill, 
and so will I this night instruct him. 

Bertha. O it was foul, if he won her heart to desert — 

Arnold. Not justly so ; he never played for it, — but rather, as 
far as my old and oblivious discernancy carried, she more loved 
to bestow her regard than he to accept. 

Bertha. Then only she or you can censure self 
On her, not him, truth's sorrow should alight. 

Arnold. Reflect not on her boy : she's dear to me. 

Enter Bohemia, Ermengarde and Officers, 

Bohemia. Stand not before — prevention is in vain. 
We are full wrought to pass, though hell oppose. 
Depose your halbert, ere you fall with it. 

Arnold. In the emperor's name, I bid you stand. — Ho ! help ! 
The watch. 

Ermengarde. 'Twere better silence him, 

Bohemia. Ay, ay. 

Perish all hindrance. 

Bertha. Let us stand our guard. 

Arnold. Back or I'll cleave the foremost. 

Bohemia. Knock him then. 

Such vile impediments are worth the rough 
And moment-quick reject, nor more nor less. 
So, spurn them from our passage. 

Arnold. Treacheiy ! 

Help, guard ! [Broil. — Exeunt Bohemia, <^c. 

Young soldier, are you hurt 1 By Heaven ! 
You used a noble ^aif. 

Bertha. Good father, help ! 

There, well — farewell. 

Arnold. God pardon us, he's wounded. Dead 1 quite gone. 
O cruel death, upon the eve of fight. [Exit. 



SCENE lY.— Hall in the Castle of Sigismund. 

Enter Rodolph and Rhist. 
jRodolph. Do you hear, porter? 
JRhist. Whati 

Rodolph. They are coming. Yes, 

5 



50 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

I saw them from the terrace. By my faith, 

I hope for sport with them. 'Twere worth some wounds 

To tell our lord returning from the wars, 

We had not been all quiet. 

Rhist, Ay, what now 1 

Sayst thou a force approaches % 

Rodolph. Even so. 

Rhist. But why talkst thou of wounds 1 There needs no risk 
Of person. Is there not sufficient strength 
In these same walls '? Better they stand the battery 

Rodolph. You care not then to fight, — Get to the gates ; 
There is a knocking ; go and satisfy. [Exit Rhist. 

I recollect some rusty lances in the vault — All now 
May be of service. 

Re-enter Rhist ivith Godfrey. 

Rhist. Here's one desires to entertain a while 
Our lady with discourse. 

Rodolph. I will report. [Exit. 

Godfrey. Hark ye, young honest friend, what over all 
Claims your affection. 

Rhist. What'? my lord the baron. 

Godfrey. Why so 1 

Rhist. He is my lord ; 

Godfrey. If thou thyself 

Wert master of thyself? 

Rhist. Myself would be 

My chief affection. 

Godfrey. Then should you desire 
The eminent means to make thee thine own lord. 

Rhist. And they 

Godfrey. Are what 1 

Rhist. Are gold : which, to speak sooth, 

Has more of my devotion than the baron. 

Godfrey. Thovi hast awit. Take this. 

Rhist. I love thee mu«h. 

Godfrey. Impress the portal keys in wax, and bear 
The counterfeits at midnight to yon camp. 

Rhist. Rely upon me. ' [Exit. 



A TRAGEDY. 51 

Enter Baroness and Rodolph. 
Baroness. Your pleasure 1 

Godfrey. 'Tisto utter our demands 

Upon this casfle. Your surrenderment, 
Speedy and total, will not lose you auglit 
Save bloody prisal. 

Baroness. Though no argument 

May move our hesitance, yet fain would we 
Know wherefore thus bold featured we are shown 
The image of oppose. 

Godfrey. The traitorous state 

Of Sigismund, once lord within these walls 
Who now steads hostile pow'rs, hath forfeit them 
To the true empire. With her name and sword 
We give them greeting, fair or deadly foul, 
As reason or your madness sway reply. 

Baroness. We are embattled strongly and will keep 
Our castle from unruly ownership 
While life finds sustenance here. 

Godfrey. E'en as you list. 

The rising sun shall hear another tale. 
Farewell the interval. 

Baroness. Who leads this force % 

Godfrey. I, Godfrey, for my brother Adelbert. 

Baroness. Enough. [Exit Godfrey. 

Rodolph, at once in the great ha:ll convene 
Our numbers, that I may allot to each 
Their post and clmrge, — and breathe a spirited miad 
Throughout our slender but sufficient ranks. [Exeunt. 



SCENE Y. — A remote part of the field of Battle. Soldiers 
fly over — a pause. 

Enter two Soldiers. 

1st Soldier. Pause we awhile: methinks there's no pursuit, 

2<Z Soldier. The struggle was not lasting. 

\st Soldier. But enough 

To give their last to many. 'Twas an hour 
As bloody as I've seen. 



53 . HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

2d Soldier. But do you think 

The emperor is safe 1 

1st Soldier. I know not that. 

2d Soldier. I saw him in the thickest of the field 
Giving and taking courage. On my life 
I stood beside him — 

1st Soldier. Fly, they are upon us. [Exemit 

Enter Emperor, Sigismund and Rhoderick. 

Emperor. See, they are fugitives from even their friends. 

Sigismund. A massacre, no more : were not our bulk 
Dismembered in revolt and thorough lamed, 
The rebel band had trembled to approach. 
The incooped terror cowards dare to brave. 

Emperonr. 'Twas a mock fight in numbers, but — ye gods! 
Relentless ? — desperate-true in cost, in cost. 
In proudest heat of life, I stretched not so 
Each sinew of my nature in the field. 
As on this final day. First, last defeat ! 
Dear-purchased loss, whose worst time's hand still hides. 

'Tis due no grief, dear sovereign. Days shall 



When justice will preponderate abroad ; 
For high deserts were ne'er so fatalized. 

Emperor. That dire necessity which called for blood 
And walled us in to contest, unreprieved, 
Unmatched, deferless, most I deprecate, — 
For I am nothing : many that now sleep, 
Remains of valor, o'er this barren field 
Might yet be something. But, 'twas other order'd. 

Sigismund. Their lives were death-illumined. Let them rest. 

Emperor. Who last saw Leopold '? 

Rhoderick. My lord, I saw him, 

Struggling with lion-rage against the flight. 
O'erstemmed at length, he hardly strove to band 
The scattering remnants. 

Sigisviund. But without their heed. 

Each soldier struck at safety's nearest path 
And thoughtless of the mass disarmed for home. 

Rhoderick. Beside him fought old Arnold, who at length 
Escaped mine eye. 'Tis to be thought he felL 



A TRAGEDY. 53 

Emperor. But Leopold, — he merits richer fate 
l( Albeit, our poorness that would envy him,) 
Than such a field's catastrophe. He lives ; 
It must be he that speeds this way along. 

Enter Leopold. 
Thou smilest. 

Leopolds Safe to see once more my lord. 

Eviperor. You lingered long, and thereby w^oke our fears, 

Leopold. I could not leave the combat till its life 
Was all extinct. The chamber now is stll 
Where death was harshly battled but this hour. 
How fares your highness '? 

Emperor. . Ask me nothing now. 

So fares the peasant stung past mortal help. 
And enter'd in death's scrip. 

Sigismund. The fang ungrown, 

Is often inefficient to its aim. 
Absent your self from perilous air awhile; 
When men are sickened with their gainless change, 
They'll hymn your restorance. 

Emperor. And in the mean 

To purchase vague existence basely-dear. 
Better determ all fortune drawing here 
The prison-bolts of nature. 

Sigismund. With your fate, 

Through woe, through weal, through day, through night to death 
God witness me, my destiny I tie, 

Leopold. And I. 

Rhoderlck. And L 

Leopold. If choice incline you then 
To stand the brunt and shock, we all consent. 
But if you bend your steps in obscure path. 
Our hearts more lightly follow, sanguine still, 
The issue will be happy. 

Emperor. Be it so ; 

For your entreasured sakes, and kindly loves, 
We still will fan the fire that moves this clod 
Till doom descends inevitant, 

Rhode rick. My lord, 

I know a defile, close among the rocks, 

5* 



54 HENRY IV. OF GERMANTr 

Not distant hence, so buried from access 
That none, save those who hold the keys of proof^ 
Can easily attain. 
Emperor. Lead, Rhoderick. 

Enter Officer, loith Soldiers. 

Officer. You are my prisoner. 

Emperor. How know you that T 

Officer. 'Twere folly to oppose. 

Leopold. That shall be tested. 

Emperor. Hold, Leopold ! blood has been shed enough 
Upon my party. We will go with you. 

Sigismund. My lord — 

Emperor. We must part, Sigismund, awhile, 

Sigismund. Not so — 

Emperor. Your means are stronger for my help 

Absent, than in same durance. Leopold, 
The same with you. 

Leopold. Forgive me, I'll not leave you. 

{Exeunt Emperor, Leopold, with Officer, tf-c, 
one way — the other., Sigismund and Rhoderick, 



SCENE VI. — Castle of Sigismund. 

Enter Baroness and Adela, 

Adela. Dear mother, how one spirit in extremes 
Emboldens all the rest. Behold, behold 
How all catch valor from your couraged ti-ust, 
And pant for the assault. 

Baroness. We'll waive their promise 

Till action tests the fabric of their mind, 
Which shall have been to-morrow. I fore-guessed 
The enemy's attempt this instant day, 
And marvel at their introducing waste, 

Adela. Should they by subtle, or superior meansy 
Subdue us to their pow'r, how cruel-harsh 
Would be our lot. 

Baroness. They dare not otherwise 
Than give occasion to our sure retreat. 



^^^ 
^^% 



A TRAGEDY. 55 

We would repair to Mentz ; my family 
Will greet us till the baron has the news. — 

Enter Guelf, icith letters. 
Upon the battle's eve. Read, Adela. 
Were these the freshest news at yovir depart 1 

Guelf. Far from it. When I left my lord the fight 
Was past. 

Baroness. How fortuned'? 

Guelf. Ill indeed. Our force, 

Weakened by strong desertion, was annulled 
And scatter'd to the winds. The emperor, 
With Leopold, my lord, and few beside. 
Fled from the field. Then hastened I with these. 

Baroness. What cruel visitations, God of Heaven ! 
Know you not where your lord 

Guelf. I have a guess. 

Baroness. Enough. [Exit Guelf. 

Enter Godfrey vjith Soldiers. 
Godfrey. Fair ladies, my abruptness steals good health 
A moment from your count'nance — nothing fear. 
You are my pris'ners ; in the outer court 
Your conjunct force stand guarded. 

Baroness. Coward man, 

Whose only dare is stealth. — Time treads this age 
With the still shoe and gauze of treachery, — 
What subtle help unbarred our safety gate 
Giving unrighteous entranced 

Godfrey. I am none 

To tender bootless insult in my right. 
Or mock the pitiable. In plain, brief speech 
I will convey the options of your sort. 
Your husband in the empire's threat maintains 
Rebellious heart and front; revolve, therefore, 
His real appertainments to the crown, 
Whose policy knows not to nvirture foes 
With foolish suppliance. These its forfeitments, 
Acquits my brother Adelbert's deserts 
On whom they are bestowed. How stands it now % 
You noble dames may dangerously depart 



56 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

And wander unprotect, through stc r.ny woi'lds 
To seek your parent fugitive, in doubt 
And lightless course, a most disgraceful lot 
For pride to own. 

Adela. O Heaven ! No more resource '? 

Godfrey. As this is harsh, th' alternative is bland. 
I'll marry Adela who is deserved 
With heart-paid tribute, and her present chance 
Is honored and preserved thereby. Frown not : 
No wrong but gracious pity is implied. 
To be the sport of fortune's playful winds,. 
Or live a noble lady, — is there choice % 

Adela. Better to wive the peasant and his toils, 
And torture from the dumb frost-bitten earth 
A scant response. What, thee ! to wed with thee ! 
Who signifyst abhorrence in my mind 
And characterst high wickedness ! O Heaven ! 
Give me to suffer all your darted wrath, 
To undergo unceasing tribulance. 
Before we come to this. 

Baroness. Hence, dastard man. 

We are not disennobled to thy grade. 
Retire. 

Godfrey. Who bids ? 

Baroness. Presumption's comrade, shame ! 

Godfrey. Peace woman and witlidraw, — withdraw, confess 
My power, ere forced. — Stay thou : {E.xit Baroxess. 

My worthy time 
And leisure poor beguilement may not brook. 
Embody then th' objections of my suit 
In concentrated syllable. 

Adela Thus then : 

My heart which forms the essence of consent 
Is given, — where also this myself is trothed-. 
No more ; though much might follow this reproof. 
Godfrey. To Leopold ; a boy as lean in claim, 
As rank in disrespect, who scorns thy gifts 
And basely rates his interest in your heart ; 
Who lavishing his guileful falsehood here 
Bestow'd affection there. Where 7 In a stage 
More fitted to his "base conjectvxral birth. 



A TRAGEDY. 57 

Did he acknowledge where he nestled him 1 

Adela. Under a peasant's humble roof he dwelt, 
His mind being much unartificed. 

Godfrey. Indeed 

This Arnold had one daughter. The young birds 
Affected ; she pursued him through the wars. 

Adela. Ka ! something like to this my father wrote : 
" Adieu, be hopeful : the royal man takes grace and love from his 
misfortunes. — Here, this last hour, a soldier girl was discovered 
by an untimely death ; the child of Leopold's ancient host. 
Farewell." 
What ! do you list, unmannei-'d man'? 

Godfrey. Even true 

'Twas current story through the baser camp 
Whose breath unsmoothed the subject. He is a youth 
Upon the altar of whose nature burns 
The fire of enterprise, which may uplift 
But unlike genius — neither honesty — 
Can keep acquirement : it must have a fall 
To its right level. Though you have been guiled 
1 see a judgment in your eye which knows 
To recognise an error. This you will, 
And not contemn my offer. 

Adela. Ay. 

Godfrey. No. 

Adela. Yes. 

To prove him truant doth thyself no grace. 
Vice mends not vice. But let my thoughts take breath -, 
Give me a private leisure. 

Godfrey. Be it brief. [Exit. 

Adela. In him is writ my destiny : it must be read. 
If foimer lecture strayed construing false 
The characters — at once. My nature whirls 
In larger circle than the common globe. 
I will indulge no scruple. — She must seek 
Safe shelter with her kin. 

Enter Rodolph. 
RodoVph. My lady — 

Adela. Hark j 

Thou art time-proved a venerable man. 



58 HENRY IV. OF GERMANYr 

Dear-loving and devoted to our house. 

The utmost of your love is now attasked. 

These walls are ours no more, and must be lorn ; 

The baroness has escort to her friends : 

I am inhibit. 

Rodolph. No. A captive ! ne'er 

Adela. Prepare thou my escape and conveyance 
To where my father bides. By dusk this day 
Wilt thou 1 

Rodolph. I will, or die in th' act thereof. 

Adela. Be wary, and your motions operant 
Keep in disguise. Assist my meaning, Heaven, 
And let advantage with occasion smile 
Upon a maiden's warfare. 

Enter Godfrey. 

On my thoughts 
Wisdom has rained kind censure. Doubt hath fled 
And fixed consent stands bold. But only this 
My mother must have escort nobly fit 
To Mentz, her family's home. 

Godfrey. Where'er she list. 

O, Adela, your grace hei-ein, robs all 
That excellence assumes. Yet is your choice 
Not squandered on demission. E'en such time 
As since th' attainment of your season's blow 
Within hath lived this brilliant of my heart 
Till now exposed. On my extremest foe 
The buoyance of my baptized joy this hour 
Would rain a quittant blessing. 

Adela. Doubtlessly ;■ 

Acquaintance 

Godfrey. Perish then thy challenge. Know 
These lineaments unconscious were perused 
Before this day. [Exeunt. 



A TRAGEDY. 69 



ACT IV. 



SCENE I. — Tent in the Camp of Henry the Fifth, 

Emperor and Leopold. 

Emperor. Your capture you did challenge ; 'twas unwise. 
As Sigismund, — we being fast imprised 
All aidance futile, — you should have remained, 
Nor iwshed vipon this peril. 

Leopold. I know not. 

'T was rash perhaps ; — I know not now regret. 
Here would I be, nor elsewhere, I do think 
Our stars do travel neighborly. 

Emperor. Well, well-, 

I even think so. — Ha! he has me now, — 
Soon may I look for quittance. What a feast! 
Grow dizzy with his joy ; — th' old father off. 
Were I himself I'd torture this old frame 
And hold it at death's sill, each day, each day 
To damn it for its crimes : 'twas worthy hell 
To sway a sceptre more than he ; was't not *? 

Leopold. Ay, ay ; enormous, — for you kept your throne, 
While he stood idly waiting. E'en to breathe 
The self-same ether live the life with him 

Emperor. The young matured, the parent cropped of course, 
And monstrous elseway. — Ceilmness is most strength. 

Leopold. My lord, suppose you he will dare confer 

Emperor. Why not 1 — How will he 1 taunt, or beg, or plead % 
And how receive himl With indignant fire'? 
He's armed against that battery. Level knee, 
And crave poor pity 1 That were wise indeed, 
I'll speak of thee, and bid thy liberation, 

Leopold. Already irksome '? 



60 HENRY IV. OF GERMANYi 

Emperor. Ay, we'll order it. 

At least, that pitch sway should be recognised. 

Enter a Guard. 
Guard. His highness. [Exit Leopold. 

Emperor. Whose 1 

Guard. The Emperor, my lord. [Exit. 

Enter Henry the Fifth. 

Emperor. Came you for mute communion 7 Or if not, 
Why let the matter break this stilly pause. 

Henry. O sire, my soul is shocked 

Emperor. You with yourself 

Do not converse in more approach than I. 
This miserable veil, hypocrisy, 
Lay then aside ; or if thy practice lose, 
With interruption seem to wear it still ; 
Albeit not my blind. 

Henry. Once-loving father, 

Perhaps I come not temper'd as your sense 
— Wrongly interpreting my actions moves, — 
Doth ill adjudge. Be sure my breast is sad ; 
Your fallen estate moves sori'ow to behold. 
But pity shall not steep that science treating 
Of crimes' deservings. I must not forget 
That sovereigns ax-e retributors ; all things, 
E'en grace, owe martyrdom to justice. 

Emperor. And therefore subdue that sweet nature thine — 
But trifling hence, it wounds my very wounds, 
To see thee foster, flatter that damn'd guilt. 
Which stealing in to work its ruinous miss, 
Seems now a luxury. O son, my son. 
To parry that perdition thou hast wrought, 
I'd sacrifice this tenuous time of mine. 
In the most feared, most miseried decease. 
Would Heaven prolong the sap within this trunk, 
Till each particular of every woe 
That time e'er grinned upon, had been amassed, 
And on me piled, rather than thou hadst cursed 
Me mortal, and th' eternal part of thee. 
And wherefore '? All most nature blasted things 



A TRAGEDY. gl 

Deridingly ask wherefore. Not a dream, 

A drunken hint, a gesture, can reply ; 

The gift was pendent all but ready dropped. 

Henry. And why the mediate time % you constant poured 
Expectance in my mind, but held aloof 
The import of emergement. 

Emperor. For one hour 

Of those paired bosoms, sister amities 

That flourished 'twixt us, if between there were 

I cannot think 'twas simulant cozenage 

For all what now you seem. The cank'rous worm 

Had no acquaintance with your temper then — 

These agitated strides evince your soul 

Not total barred to natural sympathy. 

Henry. It was high warranted. The pope himself 
Attested my projections. 

Emperor. 'Ware that plea, 

I prophesy dissensions imminent 
To step behind this union. By this light, 
I do not think you are in friendship bound, 

Henry. But true. 

Emperor. And yet this pretext muffles sin. 

Henry. I am a recreant, and have sold all claim 
To happy either world. O, God ! What now 1 
What help 1 What rescue 1 How defend my doom 1 

Emperor. Potential is the pardon of the wronged. 

Henry. Chastised be my pride. I do beseech 
Your favoring absolvence of my guilt. 
I am forgiven. 

Emperor. 'Tis false ; you are accursed. 

How vilely manlike 'tis to do such crimes 
As all untaunted bosoms fix with awe, 
And make relation whispered as in dread, 
Yet hope for independence with a word ; 
As power of God lay vested in a breath 
Prayer-wrung and pittance-given. — Get thee gone. 
Take hence the torment of thy loathed sight ; 
Troop ever with those slaves that know to plant 
Hopes, and to blast : coax trust and giv't away 
When imminence looks black ; who can achieve 
The portals of your stored felicity 

6 



S@ HENRY rv. OP GERMANY,- 

And sell the foe. My breast is kindling — Hence !' 
These rising passions would make dreadful sound 
In utterance. But rather burst my heart 
Than 

Henry. O, my father, &pare me further pang. 

Emperor. Now, vilest offspring ! guilt in cowardice 
Is worthy of a separated hell 
To suffer singly ; — misery's extreme ! 

Henry. Farewell. We take your watch along, thereby 
Removing hindrance of departure. Go : 
Strike nevermore our right, else safety cry 
Against your more permission. Nevermore. [Exit. 

Emperor. For alway gone. Dissunder'd, we our ends 
Must reach in paths divided. Forth from hence 
My life is speculation, and those ills 
That fret and plagvie the lowest in the scales 
Must torture down this scenic dream to rest. 

Enter Leopold. 

Leopold. A messenger from Sigismund, my lord> 
But now I saw- , reporting that the baron 
Is lingering in the valley, whei'e he waits 
Some knowledge of your prospect or your fate, 
Ere motion is determined. 

Emperor. Seek we him. 

Comie, Leopold : place hath no choice for us 
Save where a friend survives. 

Leopold. This I divined, 

Perceiving the remotion of the guards. 



SCENE \l.— Palace at Mentz. Henry the Fifth, Austria^. 
Adelbert, Bavaria, Bohemia, Archbishop of Mentz, others.- 

Bohemia. My lord, the object being deprived of harm, 
Nobility deposes warfare. 

Mentz. True ; 

Beside, yovxr spear being vow^ed God's instrument, 
And clesiastic mean to frame this sway 
Acceptant with the pope's, should be suspense. 
Nor clear its limits. Summon home all things- 



A TRAGEDY. ^j 

Whose warxd'rings menace his poor state of health. 

Bavaria. His hopes aftamished and his havings lost, 
■His utter-stricken age must swiftly bow 
The mortal stuff to earth. 

^(^Ibert. You know him not ; 

And are but shallow-versed in nature's lore. 
Which of you (how so meriting) could brook 
The spoliage of your titles, and afford 
A smooth unstruggli-ng cease 1 All would efforce 
Prom death the debitor a harmful spite. 

Austria. The rash untiring Henry will dark- work 
Some danger to the empire while he breathes. 
He will not see these domains peaceful sw-ayed 
Which were the carcass that his wrath exposed, 
Regardless to all perils, nor uplift 
An angry hand his footing to regain. 

Henry. High Heaven forbid me leap the proper list 
Pitched by the holy church. Our subjects know 
A heavy heart our service companied, 
And not malevolent-eager. — Adelbert, 
1 am no sovereign thus ; till he is tombed, 
My perfect ease and speculation's scope 
Are pale and wan, — sole medicine his deatk 
Select an amjjle power from out our ranks.: 
Thy warrant take in silence. 

Adelbert. All content. 

It shall be executed on the wing 
In flight immediate. 

Henry. ■ Chance, 'twill ask some pains 

To learn his haunts. Your vigilance we trust. 

Adelbert. The royal prey is easiest tracked, my lord. 
This will befriend my private scope, and hate 
Shall heap his mound of some. that follow him. {Exe'Vynt. 



SCENE lil.— Li a Valley.. 

Enter Sigismund and Rhoderick. 
■Rhoderick. Your espial by this should have returned. 
Sigismund. Ay, surely; should his absence last much more, 
2'11 seek in person tidings o'f my liege. 
Rhoderick. And 1 with you. 



64 HENRY IV. OF G ERMANY; 

Sigismund. However calm this place 

And peaceful-pleasant, yet uncertainty- 
Is tyrant o'er content. — Dear home, dear home ! 

Would I had tidings thence. 1 something wish 

His capture had not parted us. ^ 

Rhoderick. Great good ! 

While lives a friend abroad, not all confined 
Or weaponless is he. 

Sigismund. What is, is best. 

Or more than worst, at least. 

Rhoderick. Without more words, 

Behold the emperor with Leopold. 

Enter Emperor, Leopold. 

Emperor. Thank Heav'n for this one recollection. Baron, 
Great joy we feel to meet thee. 

Leopold. Reunite 

Beholding us, I think an anny's strength 
Consisteth here. 

Sigismund. And so it does, if we 

Pespise the chance of future accidents. 

Emperor. Fallen, 'tis true ; withal we lose not much. 
Could I but harbor thought in this retreat, 
Content might be my constant revenue ; 
But rebel fancies, courier-like, to me 
Approach my son, now piteous for his sense, 
Nowoftener firing hope of chastisement. 

Sigismund. This currency of thought will early droop, 
And still, will help to sweeten your degree. 

Emperor. We serve the springs of super-ord'nance ; while 
We settle here we must ameliorate. 
E'en to our best. When time the warrant bears 
To loose inaction, quite reselfed, we'll march 
To wage accumulate wrath against all foes. 
Fortune not singly damaged me ; ye both 
Have ta'en sore gashes ; manifold this day 
Bear heavy weights of wo, and who shall say 
My state is most disconsolate, most dire. 
But no ; I wound the spirit of my wrongs : 
Who has, say who, a rebel child to hate, — 
Cherished, up fondly reared beyond all love, 



A TRAGEDY. fi5 

Clutching t' outroat that breath, which so engraved 

His recreant soul with promise '? Such an act 

To ravage earth with greedy, blood souled dogs 

For his destruction makes damnation blush 

Its inefficience. Wither, fret and die, 
Is all with all ; — degree distinguishes. 
This valley seems a hold of utmost strength 
Walled in by massive rock. 

Sigismund. Ay, Rhoderick 

Hath visited each portion. 

Emperor. Well, what sort ? 

What manner 1 Was th' inspection fee'd 1 

Rhoderick. My lord, 

Your little world is mvich above contempt. 
Though rugged, yet it has some flowery spots 
And full variety. So may be hoped 
An honest, fair, untroubled domain here. 

Emperor. The hush before the hurry of the stonu 
May be improved. So shall we take from time 
A tranquil patience. 

Sigismund. Leopold, by this 

We should have tidings from my dear loved folk. 

Leopold, The smoothness of their safety is unrufiial^ 
Elsewise th' ill news were thine. 

Sigismund . ' T is true, they ha ve, 

By far, the swiftest carriage. 

Enter ^a^lo-^ {as Hermit) from a cave. 

Emperor. What art thoul 

Speak quickly, ere you startle in us thoughts 
Sudden of harm, 

Rhoderick. A strangely, ghost-like being: 

Leopold. Unfold your character. 

Saxon. Peace be with all. 

Emperor. Why gaze you thus around % 

Saxon. To see those thing.s 

My customs have dismemorized. I not thought 
To come by pleasure in the sight of man. 
But nature, nature. 

Emperor. Dost thou domicile 

In this wild buried spot 'J 

6* 



QQ HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Saxon. For fifteen years. 

Who are they that encroach on this still vast? 
Welcome whate'er ; we are too old for fear. 

Emperor. Divine, good man : w^hat is thy guess of us 1 

Saxon. You have a captain's look ; a deference 
Sits round like duty on th' assembly's face. 
You're in the empire's ban, and here have fled 
For secrecy's best keeping. 

Emperor. Not far wide. 

Seclusion's feeble thread suspends our lives, 
Discovery shearing which dependency, 
Our hold on life is gone ; who stands with us 
Must share our fate. Wilt hazard this, old man. 
And give us aidance 1 

Saxon. What was your offence '? 

Emperor. A credulous honesty; 

Saxon. No more than this 1 

Leopold. I swear, no more. 

Saxon. Come then with me along. 

Nature hath chambered here a kind of cave, 
Spacious accommodant. With you and yours, 
Among whom name myself, I will partake. 

Emperor. We thank thee, thinking infinitely more. 
Go all with him. I'll follow in due time. 

[Exeunt^ save Emperor - 
An emperor, no doubt ; for fifteen years 
Respected and unchid by goodness' ebb. 
He wakes to fearlessness and careful sleeps ; 
No underlings ambitious, mutinous ; 
No treacherous friends, rebelliovis sons, no popes ; 
No dispensations to bi-eed jealousy ; 
No irritating levies of his rights : 
No world to slander, — to breathe deadly blast 
'Gainst what its ignorant jvidgments and mean sense 
Its petty one-thought soul, — know not to prize. 
Here is a peer and sov'reign o'er the world 
To pity or to laugh as temper moves. 
But who approaches now"? Some valley- nymph, 
The daughter of the place. 



A TRAGEDY. qj 

Enter Adela, Rodolph, ^oho retires. 

Adela. I cannot err ; 

This must be majesty. 

Emperor. Your hand. Methinks 

There's something, Sigismund, in that thine eye. 

Adela. Before all other question, let me know 
If hereabout my father may be found, 
The baron Sigismund 1 

Emperor. I'll bring thee to him. 

Enter this grot with me, and strike his eye 
All unexpectant with thy self-delight. [Exeunt. 



SCENE IV.— Godfrey's castle. 

GoDFREy. 

The dark, dull fit once more. Where is that drug 

To smooth my perturbed soul % To renovate 

The slumbering part of life? O, God ! what art, 

Or what retraction will procure the loss 

Of horror's visitation to my mind 1 

Can restitution of his usurped lands 

Restore my death-piled childhood- honesty 1 

Will not his sire, old Egbert, glaze mine eyes 

With death's similitude '? I pushed him not 

Till nature built the precipice : his life 

Was in its faint and flicker when I blew. 

Let him rest quiet then ; I owe him naught, — 

No deviation or digression now ; 

On, on while life contain a hope. My heart 

Hies now a chase, encouraged with my sum 

Of fate-exciting hope. Her let me clutch 

And conquer to my wedlock, then all cares 

Lose tyranny upon me, and what things 

Do worry at content are partly drowned. 

I must play time, nor ever cast behind 

A mental eye. Who's there 1 — How now 1 What word 1 

E?iter an Attendant. 
Attendant. Count Adelbert, with numerous company, 
Is at the gates. 



68 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Godfrey. Thou lying messenger, 

He foUoAvs thee at hand. Go get thee hence. {Exit Servakt. 

Enter Adelbert. 
Adelbert. An accidental visit. Journeying, 
Chance brought me here by. 

Godfrey. What affair 

Do yovx pursue this way '? 

Adelbert I have a task 

Whose subject is the old emperor's remove. 
Clustei-ed with Sigismund and Leopold, 
And other vulgar, he is spending time 
Among the neighboring mountains. 

Godfrey. Of what strength 

Are your dependant instruments 1 

Adelbert. The force 

Of sum superfluous. Do not think my power 
Is all in deputation. I do mean 
To pay my hire in some resembling act. 

Godfrey. Thou wilt not let occasion lapse, I know. 
To serve the orders of your bosom's wrath. 
That boy, remember him. 

Adelbert. Ay : have you wived 

That child of Sigismund 1 beyond a doubt, — 
There was no portal for alternative. 

Godfrey. Must you proceed 1 Can you not dwell awhile % 
Or, I presume, your office scourges time. 

Adelbert. What, you evade 7 Found yov\r intent a balk ? 
Godfrey. Curse all the race of woman ; she escaped. 
Adelbert. And whither fled '? 
Godfrey. To Sigismund, I learn. 

Adelbert. Has this submined yovir purpose % 
Godfrey. Strengthened it. 

Now it concerns my pride. If you accord, 
My stewards shall go with you, trusty men. 
Your process being co-operant, past help. 
She must be mine. 

Adelbert. I willingly consent, 

And with my best of efforts will approach 
Your cherished longing. Get these persons sohooled. 
And bring them sudden to the gate. My troops 
Do tarry me. [Exit Adelbert. 



A TRAGEDY. ( 

Godfrey. A favorable chance. 

I will determine WoliF and Gaspard so 
That nothing shall impede. And T myself 
Will follow leisurely. For of such price 
My heart esteems success, that rest is not 
So long as lasts the treatise. [Exit. 



SCENE Y.— Valley. 

Leopold and Adela. 
Leopold. Pernicious villain ! Is he discontent 
With th' usurpation of my heritage 1 
Envies he me the revenues of my heart 1 
Foul was the first, and heavily deserved 
Th' exaction meditate in me, but left 
Till time grew seasonable. Still my mind 
Could lightly hold that in compare with this 
Refinement of fell" malice. Let him walk: 
Men do not last for ever. 

Adela. Banish him 

From nobler-busied thoughts. — O, Leopold, 
I wronged you when my discontentment blamed 
Your long-spun hour of absence. Let me lose 
Whate'er may cost your fealty toward 
This sovereign, base-deserted. To behold 
The nobleness of sufferance in him 
Would make exult adherence. 

Leopold. Adela, 

The critical hour of his life's tide is wearing. 
In his decease th' usurper will find that 
Which his solidity of peace now wants. 
This dispossess'd condition must not last ; 
The flood of change, or bear him up again, 
Or loses him within th' eternal main. 

Adela. The best be hoped. 

Leopold. And neither feared the worst. 

Adela. Then fortune's spite is futile.*^ Father mine. 

Enter Sigismund. 
Sigismund. O, God ! 'twas yet relief for other griefs 
Safe sheltered to suppose my flock at home. 



70 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Sorrow is multitudinovis. All now 
Are scattered Mildly, and my noble sjDouse, 
High minded lady, undeserving grief, 
Is where '? I can but guess. 

Adela. O rest assured, 

Dear father, she is safe with friends at Mentz. 

Leopold. I trust that your despatch will have returned 
With tidings by this night. 

Sigisimind. No doubt, no doubt. 

The emperor inclines to leave this vale ; 
If he is resolute therevmto, I mean 
You twain shall take the matrimonial oath 
With first occasion. 

Leopold. Where about is now 

Plis highness 1 

Sigisinnnd. In the hennit's cave he stays 
Conversing with this new companion chos'n. 

Adela. Truly a man of charity and love. 

Leopold. He wins all hearts immediate. See, they come. 

Enter Emperor and Saxon, 
Saxon. Discriminate : that your observance teems 

With instances where shows of goodness lied, 

Where seeming piety glossed rancorous hate, 

Where things presumptively depvite of God 

Have been most virulent in enmities. 

Because of these, must all else be deceit. 

Do not contemn the Roman sceptre, for 

Its sometime misdirection. Though 'tis seen 

Hypocrisy steals nearest under Heaven, 

The greater and moi'e direful is its fall. 

Emperor. Well, good old man, I do believe not all 

Professing sanctity are false in heart, 

O, Leopold, you uttered ne'er a hint 

Of your contract ; a richer tint is added 

To your devotion. Who can say we're poor 'J 

Give us oblivion, and included here 

We may all find content. A company 

Co-levelled and degree'd by fortune's blows, 

Commutual in affection, good in heart, 

Consenting each unto the other's weal, 



A TRAGEDY. 71 

In pleasantest repose we may i-eside, 
And make this spot felicity's true court, 
The envy of all else. 

Saxon. This the true mood. 

Leopold. But how can you, my lord, whose varied life 
Has wild ambition o'er the field pursued 
Through action's very whirlpools, give yourself 
A pause and tranquil term 1 

Emperor. E'en so, my friend : 

While counting up the chance of pleasance here, 
My soul is swayed for motion. With the break 
And gaily skipping interrupt of morrow, 
We purpose to remove our camp. 

Adela. Alas ! 

It is not safe. 

Sigis7iiund. What Leopold hath urged 
Can be no reason. Age is giv'n as rest 
To the most stirring lives which chief demand it. 

Saxon. And are there not the peril and offence 
Of enmity abroad upon yovir search 1 

Emperor. Be they confronted : I more brook their threats 
Than this inaction. 

Enter Rhoderick. 

Rhoderick. O, my lord, my lord. 

Emperor. What hath perturbed you 1 Speak ; what dreaded 
cause 
So moves you 1 

Rhoderick. Foes are now upon your track. 

Sigismund. Is the retreat discovered. 

Emperor. Let him breathe, 

And after, leisurely disclose his news. 

Rhoderick. Pursuing sport this morn, 1 was beguiled 
Even to the very isthmus of this glen. 
Where craggy heights, fantastically spersed, 
Abound. To rouse a high-lodged eagle, 
Up clamber'd I amain ; obtained my aim, 
And on the wing transfixed the noble bird. 
He fell not sudden, but consumed some space. 
Heart shafted though, and fell without the rocks. 
My weariness begged rest, and in repose 



72 HENRY IV, OF GERMANY? 

I sought the needed strength to reach my prey. 
But the dead drum awoke ; a band of men 
Were filing from above, who had divined, 
By my pierced game, th' abode of ours below. 

Saxon. Follow me all whose voice cries for escape. 
There is another outlet. 

Emperor. For ourself, 

So far from willing to avoid their search 
We shall assist. We'll affront their eyes : 
Come, whosoever choose. 

Leopold. I much mistake 

If any here dissent, save Adela. 

Sigismund. Thy best protection is with this good hermit. 

Adela. Not I ; forgive me, but beside yourself 
I only can be safe. 

Saxon. Then let us all 

Together meet the invaders of our realm = [Exeunt, 



A TRAGEDY. 



ACT V. 

SCENE l. — A loooded part of the Valley, 

Enter party of the last Scene. 

Emperor. The clouds usurp aloft, the winds escape, 
And sullen night hangs darkness in the air. 
Now birds of sweet-tuned throat are nestled hush, 
And things of prey arouse. 'Twill be a night 
Of wrathful temper in the elements. 

Sigisymmd. Fearful it were, if real things, my lord, 
Spoke not of danger. 

Emperor. So ; and thus we learn 

How foolish- visionary is the fear 
That takes such pains to start at needless objects. 

Adela. I hear their tramp. 

Leopold. They are upon us. Hark ! 

The sounds of number. 

E7iter Adelbert and Soldiers. 

Adelbert. Halt ! They are around. 

— Who there 1 

Emperor. Henry the Fourth of Germany. 

Adelbert. Ha, Ha ! The Gods be thanked! — Bring torches! 
Now 
Thou adjudged traitor, by the crown condemned 
To forfeit thy detested life, prepare ; 
Thy hour hath come — 'tis in arbitrement 
Of one who holds thee odious. Lights! and then 
Objected to my weapon 

Sigismund. Adelbert! 

Meseemed that voice familiar. 

Leopold. As the fiend 

To mortals hell-condemned. 

7 



74 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Emperor. Or to the sire, 

A child's forgetfulness. O, Adelbert, 
This insolent front is my punition for 
Th' uplifting thee to honor. 

Sigismund. I should claim 

A tongueless future, did my vengeance let 
Words separate us more. O worse than breath 
Can tell thee 

Leopold. Sigismund, this cause is mine 

By a most sacred oath. 

Eviperor. Upon your loves, 

I charge ye both to stay this passion. What! 
Do ye prefer your fates before mine own '? 
Stand none before me, — on your honors, none ; 
But second, each and all. — Now, faithless slave, 
And rash and wicked man, what seek you here '? 
Speak the extreme and bloodiest of your purpose. 
Its blockade, bound and trench ; that knowing this, 
I may resolve resistmem or consent 
Accoi'ding. 

Adelbert. 'Tis the end of your existence. 

Your doom hath issued, and all people wait 
To know its consummation. 

Emperor. Why pretend 

The fool 1 And buy more deaths with shunless mine 1 
If when this blood be spilt will pause your furies, {Storm heard.) 
Come on ; evasion shall not sway this breast. 
Come with your hated steel, nor fear oppose. 
Farewell, all friends. 

Leopold. Now, by the God of gods, 

May I be Heaven-detested if this bane 
And nature's poison banquet on such viand 
Without prevention ! 

Emperor. Shall our last command 

Sigismund. My lord, my lord, you wrong the dearest right 
That honored man can boast ; his vengeances, 
Or upon justice or main strength, have claims 
Precedent of all else. 

Adelbert. Base villain ! Guards 

Stand here before me. — What these men may do, 
In inconsidered wrath, who can foresee. 



A TRAGEDY. 75 

Adela. O man of God, canst tliou be passive here 1 
Pour Heaven's influence upon this rage, 
Engenderful of mischief. (Sform.) 

Saxon. Stay, rash men. 

Agnise the dreadful terrors in the sky, 
The sublime fury shattering o'er your heads, 
And leave contemned strifes. How puny show 
These battles puerile in such a time 
When Heaven stalks roundabout. Put vip your steel. 
I charge ye, in the name of all things sacred, 
To reconcile or part. 

Adelbert. Regard thy health. 

This old deposed villain, whose long life 
Compose a series of amazing guilts, 
Still glorying in his maledicted state, 
Affronts the empire's safety, and must die. 
Whoso dare lift an arm to ward his doom 
Would better erst have died. Fast hold him, fellows^ 
While I ransack that traitor bosom his, 
For the life's part. 

Saxon. The skies fore fend ! 

Leopold. Beware, 

Base dogs, taint not his person with rude grasp. 
Ha ! thus then. {He cuts doion one of the soldiers.) 

[Meamvhile enter Godfrey behind with Wolff and Gaspard, 
whoon he motions toioard Adela. They seize her.} 

Adela. What cursed sport is this 1 

[Exeunt Godfrey and his stewards, hearing ojf Adela, 

Adelbert. Vile upstart fool. 

Hast thou assassined him % Destruction hence ! -^ 
Soldiers assault them all t— cut down the whole. 
Why do ye pause % Must I direct ye then ! 

{Lightning ; a tree is struck, and Atielbert falls killed, 

Soxon. Death supernatural! Fall all, fall down : 
Acknowledge God in awe. Around and through 
His thought abides. Let all confess this Heaven. 

All. We all confess thee. Heaven. 

Emperor. Strangely dismayed, 

My soul starts inward. 

Saxon. Let thy equal wrath 

Terribly fall upon us, when our m.ind 



76 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

Conceive like bloody purpose. 

All. Be it so. 

Sigismund. O, night of horror ! 

Saxon. When from any breast 

The lesson of this hour is' fallen, inflict 
The same denouncement. 

All. Even such great powers. 

Leopold. Vast nature's dissolution could not shake 
Its elements more loudly terrible, 
Than this terrific storm. 

Saxo7i. Come all with me 

Who will provide a shelter. Soldiers, come, 

\st Soldier. Canst thou supply protection from this night 
And chilling tempest '? If so, we will accept ; 
And on the morn will go our way in peace. 

Sigismund. Who hath seen Adelal My child ! My child ^. 
Where sped 1 Speak ! Speak ! 

Leopold. Where fled 1 Will no one telH 

2d Soldier, When all was hurry and confusion, sir, 
I saw her carried hence, with violent force. 
By several disguised. 

Leopold. Oh, cursed fault ! 

Great God, why shared not I that bolt 1 

Sigismund. No fate 

Can amply scourge the remnant of my days. 
If she is lost. Why heard not I her voice *? 
Were all my senses shut ? [Exit. 

Saxon. Silentest gloom 

Succeeds the busy noises which did wage 
But even now. 

Leopold. O, who can counsel now ? {Exeunt. 



SCENE II.— The palace. 

Henry the Fifth, Bohemia, Austria, Bavaria. 
Bavaria. My lord, the nuncio waits an audience; 
Has he your license *? 



A TRAGEDY. 77 

Bohemia. Duke, he marks thee not ; 

Nor little else of late. 

Austria. This malady 

Of which I yester spake ; these reveries, 
Gloomy abstraction and long sullen moods, 
Denoting a possessing sorrow, grows 
Most sovereignly upon him. 

Bohemia. He repines 

For his past motions 'gainst his sire. — My lord ! — 

Bavaria. Waste not your voice toward his poisoned ear. 

Austria. 'Tis most despisable, hated of all, 
This wailing for past deeds. Who would not do 
Even as did himself 7 But so unwise, 
Unripe in reason, tame and vulgar-souled, 
As fall to moan his process, who would be 1 
The act diveited half the world from him ; 
Penitence turns the other, 

Henry. Ha ! how now 1 

How long must we attend him 1 

Bohemia. Who, my lord 1 

Henry. Who, senseless duke 7 The legate from the pope. 

[Exit BOHBMtA. 

How, Austria ! several discolored thoughts 

Look through your aspect. By the gods ! be 't known 

We like not frowns. 

Enter Bohemia with Constance. 

Your business in our court, 
Please you, make known. 

Constance. Then thus in mildest terms : 

My master. Paschal, listening the tale 
Of the abject extreme to which your foal 
And most unfilial negligence hath driv'n 
Your predecessor, hath at once been struck 
With a resenting and amazed wrath. 
Wherefore I am despatched, in impulse warm, 
To censure this unnatural contempt 
Of obligations and all human sense ; 
To deprecate 

Henry. Out, varlet, from my sight ! 

Hence suddenly and tell his insolence — ^ 

cOFC 



78 HENRY IV. OF GERMANYj 

O what a damned thing desertion is ! 

Would he stood here ! his person might receive 

A violent respect. Hence, devil-priest ! [Exit Constance. 

Austria. My lord, methinks 

Henry. My dog, bethink thy health. 

Now cursed be mankind 1 all slaves un worth 
Their appetite's supply. 

Austria. My lord, I must be heard. 

With your permission, to my states I mean 
To make repair forthwith. 

Henry. Why, what care we % 

Bohemia. And I 

Henry. And you too, all, leave us alone. [Exeunt. 

My heajt is desolate. I will to rest ; 
What rest 1 Even such the angry ocean gives. [Exit. 

Enter Anselm a7id Hugo. 

Hugo. When with this dread disorder, was he first 
Afilicted 1 

Anselm. Lately, very lately. 

Hugo. And 

How frequent the return % 

Anselm. Each altern night, 

In the dead stillness, it affects his grace. 

Hugo. Is it not something strange '? 

Anselm. I ne'er before 

Heard of an equal case. But have thou care. 
Not for a kingdom this to noise abroad. 

Hugo. Ti-ust me; — and he will have none other near % 

Ayiselm. Not but myself, who with much time and toil 
Recover him to feeling. 

Hugo. By yon skies, 

He is not enviable. Well, good night. [Exeunt. 



SCENE III — Chamber of Henry the Fifth. 

Enter Henry with a light. 
Is this th' aspired pomp for which my soul 
Professed ambition 1 This the royal of 



A TRAGEDY. 7r 

My nurtured dreams 1 Power indispute is dull, 

And checked, it is the worst, most damned chain 

Humanity is born to. Well, die thought 

In sleep, my debtor, greatly in default. 

When sleep 1 Can 1 escape this waking dream. 

This nightly terror, which enthrals my sense "? 

But shall this sense endure the whelming sway 

Of my unsinewed fancy 1 Must I know 

Such thing is not, and suffer horror still 

Set frightful thoughts upon my fugitive spirit 1 

Knit brows and see it not : tis naught, naught, naught. 

Why now I will retire and Savage Fates ! — 

He visits us again. His white head — mark, — 

His vengeance-bolting frown. O ! tis hot iron 

Upon my blasted eye-balls. No, but no : 

I say thou art not there ; a cheat, a lie. 

Deception false as hell, and pervious art 

To this my substance. See, I walk thee through. 

Now reason can you fly 1 All's well, all well. 

This fever is unmanliest, and but springs 

From a wide-wandering ! Hence, thou subdued thing I 

O God ! 'tis true ; delusion is not there. 

Stand ! and demand my life. Clutch not thy sword. 

No nearer ; O ! no, no : murder me not. 

Death levels from thine eye ; 1 will confess, 

Relinquish all, rove mendicant, so that 

Compassion ; O not yet — but now — 'tis done. [Swoons. 

[Enter Anselm — Scene changes. 



SCENE IV. — Spire. House of Ermengarde. 

Enter Godfrey and Ermengarde. 

Godfrey. The lady Adela % 

Ermengarde. Sits drooping still 

And mute. Not e'en my daughter can obtain 
A tokening word of healthy sense from her. 

Godfrey. Poor girl, poor child ! I thank you, Ermengarde, 



80 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

For our kind brotherly reception here, 
But must away to-morrow for my lands. 

Erviengarde. So soon 1 

Godfrey. And therefore do I wed this day. 

Ermengarde. Is Adela consenting 1 

Godfrey. She is not ; 

But what imports it '? In these questions, count, 
You know full well such youth should have no voice. 

Ermengarde. O none; she is honored much 

Godfrey. Not so, by Heaven t 

Ermengarde. My meaning is, though fair the maiden be^ 
And all in person worthy, yet the child 
Of one in treason's practice should esteem 
The nviptials with Count Godfrey. 

Godfrey. Have you ta'en 

Precaution for the ceremony % 

Ermengarde. Ay ; 

All the most noble families of Spire 
Will witness and assist. 

Godfrey. Good friend, desire 

The maiden to approach. 

Ermengarde. This will I, sir. 

Pray school her in some manner as respects 
Her dvUies on th' occasion. [Exit Ermengarde. 

Godfrey. Fear me not. 

Duties ! obedience ! would her heavenly soul 
But feel a kind resentiment with mine, 
I'd own the obligation, and with me 
Wovild rest the duty. See, she moves this way, 
But with determinate clung lips. How long 

Enter Adela. 
Must this dejected character usurp 
The throne of your fair visage '? Is't from me 
This sorrow comes 1 With me you are incensed \ 
Have I done aught solicitous of hate '? 
Will you not see that 'twas the violence, 
The craze and emphasis of passion, which 
Enforced your midnight capture 1 He on whom 
You spend inutile thoughts could never feel 
Access like this, or dare so much for love. 



A TRAGEDY. 81 

You know it, and in heart confess my right 

Unto your worshipp'd heart. Be wise ; assume 

A much more proper aspect, and prepare 

For altar oaths. For this I leave you. Mark! 

A few short hours are yours. As you deport, 

Showing reluctance or a blithe consent, 

Shall influence much your hours of after life. 

Farewell a while. [Exit Godfrey. 

Adela. It cannot — shall not be. 

My trust is fervent that he will arrive ; 
The messenger I bribed cannot but find 
My father, who will raise all pow'rs of earth 
To save his heart's true child. But should he not — 
My thoughts are firm disposed to cut me out 
A passage from this danger. Heaven and earth ! 
But sorrow is the watchword of these times. 
An hour, an hour; and in some sort 'tis o'er. [Exit. 



SCENE V, — Same. Before the temple to the Virgin. 

Enter Sigismund, disguised. 
The hinted place — and near about the hour 
Whereto points my intelligence. From me 
The truths of sorrow have been erst withheld j 
Accumulating idly till my state 
Was least in preparation. 'Tis the past 
Must borrow knowledge from the current time ; 
To-day cries out on yestern's ignorance, 
And so until that sun when all know all. 
Was't yesterday I sorrow'd, talked on grief. 
Thought smiling to be martyrdom 1 Fool's error \ 
Happiest among mankind. Let me thus learn 
To 'scape this pi-esent weight by thinking what 
More direful might befal. But no, O God ! 
Fancy is impotent, nor can create 
One harder lot. And now perhaps this ruffian 
Revels in dreams, whence he shall wake to death. 
Say that 'tis done — 
Before the very altar, where 'tis thought 



^ HENRY IV. OF GEE3IANY^ 

To sacrifice my child ; striking the eye 

Of th' undisposed audience How thenl 

Will they not rush in horror to avenge 

The deemed offence'? What can an abject man, 

Sided with ruin, 'gainst establishment 1 

Esteemed a traitor, how subdue the cry 

And general shudder for a noble's death 1 

And why not now 1 I owe the world no more ; 

The folly of my part is done ; naught claims 

Against departure. Lo ! — behold, behold ! 

The pageant nears. Vain pomp ! — To mix with them. 

[Retires. 

Enter Godfrey, Adela, Ermengarde, Lords, Ladies, d^'C. 

Adela. O Heaven remember me ! Now shall I prove 
How tempered was my nature ; moulded how. 
My father comes not. Guard him, ye above, — 
My mother bless, and Leopold — but oh ! 
Not that way ; there I die a previous death. 

Godfrey. This is the temple, maiden, where our vows 
Are served at Heaven's table. Adela ! 
Beware, in presence of this noble crowd. 
To utter shame against me, or to cast 
Its faint reflection. G, beware ! dar'st thou. 
By darkest shades of hell, I'll take thy life. 
O do it not, and all my heart is bound 
Toward thy pleasance ever. Kindest friends, 
Make happy entry with us to this place. 

[ The portals open ; procession enters, Sigismund 
mingling tviih the train ; doors close. 

Enter Emperor resting on Leopold. 

Leopold, O, my dear lord, your looks speak languor; wan 
Your face is quite with the o'er great attempt 
Of journey. On these steps awhile still rest, 
While T some sustenance seek. 

Emperor. Thanks, thanks ; O, me ! 

'Tis the sense here, that with this corp'ral toil 
Is fellow 'gainst existence. 

Leopold. Good, my Ic-rd^ 

How fare you % 



A TRAGEDY. 83 

Emperor. Wearily ; which bodes true weal. 

O nigh spent, Leopold. 

Leopold. Not so ; sit here 

While I an instant leave you to obtain, 
By prayer or threat, for your condition help. 

Emperor. Tarry ; why seek to stretch th' attached chain 
Which fates great self hath forged'? — This alifice 
Of so fair architecture, even I, 
Or what I was, constructed. Perfect fane 1 
The bishop, I remember, was a liege 
Who pleased me well. Go, Leopold, make known 
Our fallen fortunes, and attempt his love. 
But, O ! not long. 

Leopold. I come again with speed. [Exit, 

[Strain of music aoithin. 

Emperor. Hark ! a most solemn choir ; these chords sublime 
Uplift the soul ; — sweet music! fare thee well ; 
All still. What sweeter balm to sooth these hours 
Preceding cease. The clangor of the trump. 
And the discordant battle song alone, 
Have been my youth's delight ; to these my mind 
Threading this night of life complacent turns. 
But 'twas a pure, a blessed hymn that now 
Uprose my knell. It is the noblest joy. 
Music, the soul may know. Heaven favors him 
Whom she bestows with feeling for its breath ; 
She loves not emperors. The hennit ! Ah, my friend. 

Enter Saxon alway as hermit. 

Emperor. Why have you thus far wandered from your home 1 

Saxon. To follow thee. 

Emperor. Even here will end that care. 

Saxon. I mean it. Henry, thou hast trod so far 
As destiny permits. 

Emperor, I know it, feel it. 

Saxon. Dost thou remember 

Emperor. Yes. You came before me. 

Some thirteen years have past, and justice craved, 
Which I denied ye. Flushed with victory, 
Fearing the jealousies of my bold troop 
Moreover, in an angry mood, that hour 



84 HENRY IV. OF GERMANY; 

I spurned ye, often to regret the word. 

I knew you in your hermit's guise, but deemed 

Devotion had entombed the memory. 

Now in that eye I see the lasted heat 

Of your vowed vengeance. 

Saxon. Which demands your blood. 

I have borne many trials in the search 
Of this beneficent hour, and ever nursed 
A certain oath I uttered. 

Emperor. Say, dark man, 

What residue of life have you in hope ? 

Saxon. This day's my last. I know your ready speech ; 
Why should 1 curse th' eternity within 
By leaving earth in blood. But die thou must, 
And fated 'tis — by me be shed thy blood. 

Emperor. Not so ignobly shall I end my days. 
Heaven's ways are marvellous ; to see a nation 
Pursuing down time's hill my last of days, 
Led by a sovereign, — cozened of their prey 
By an unknown, base person were most so. 
Rash man, forbear ; thy touch is desecration. 

Saxon. Though passionless, yet am I resolute ; 
A goodly sword is by theej draw ! 

Emperor. O, God ! 

What matters it ! 'tis nature though ! Now, Heaven, 
Give vigor to my arm. [ They fight. Exit Saxox. 

'Tis done ; th' acceleration was required. 
Finish this torture, — now my soul 'gins burn. 
Haste, Leopold. 

Enter Leopold. 

Leopold. My lord 

Emperor. That hermit came — 

An enemy — my death- wound ; see. 

Leopold. He fell upon his sword hard by, and died. 
Great Heavens ! 'tis foul in ye. 

Emperor. The bishop — 

Leopold. Yes, 

Denied me. May the worms consume his heart. 
Let me support you. Must I, must I stay *? 



A TRAGEDY. 85 

Emperor. Yes, and be happy. 'Tis a tragicd'ay 
Without more doom. 

Leopold. Naught else could make it more, 

Though legions suffer'd. 

Emperor. And there's one on earth, 

— Say, is there nof? who holds attached your hopes. 

Leopold. O where is she 1 Where 1 'Tis this mystery 
Which consummates my grief. O, God ! O, God ! 
Cut shoit my days even here, but save her to 
This father. Ha ! what noise, and whence is this 1 

Emperor. 'Tis rmiior in the temple. — Sigismund ! 

[Doors Jly open. AiiELk at the altar supported. Sigis- 
RiuND and Godfrey combating. 

Leopold. Great God ! And Adela ! An altar ! 

Emperor. See, 

Count Godfrey falls. O haste me some to read 
The meaning of this scene. 

Enter Sigismund, Adela, Lords, d^c. d^c. 

All. The emperor ! 

Leopold. Keep silence ; he departs. 

Emperor. I see it all. 

She's saved. Good night ! 

Sigismund. O must we speak it now. 

Emperor. E'en now, and 'tis full time. Weep not the day. 
Whoe'er sees Henry, let him utter these ; 
— But no, tell simply death. Enough, farewell ! 
Tis now the awful night, the unknown gloom. [Exp-ires. 



[Curtain falls.] 



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